Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk Talks Fell Apart Because Anthony Joshua Is ‘Too Greedy’

Frank Warren has revealed why the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk fight talks fell apart.

Warren, Fury’s co-promoter, said the WBC heavyweight champion had enough when Anthony Joshua asked for more than what he was offered in order to step-aside for the title unification bout.

“As far as Tyson was concerned, it dragged on. When Joshua asked for an extra $5 million, he said, ‘Enough is enough,’ and that was it. He said, ‘I’m not interested, he’s too greedy,’ and that was enough,” Warren said.

“He’s a champion – Tyson’s not beholden to Anthony Joshua. Him and Usyk wanted to get it on, both of them wanted to get it on. But you had two people in the middle – one was suing the WBC [in Whyte] and the other one was asking for more and more money.”

Joshua and Dillian Whyte, who are both promoted by Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, denied their respective step-aside deals. Joshua was offered £15 million while Whyte was offered £5 million.

Both British boxers are been fighting to get their respective bouts on the move.

Joshua has a contracted rematch with Usyk, who dethroned him for the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles. Their fight is targeted in the spring.

Whyte has been the longtime interim champion and No. 1 contender.

He was scheduled to fight Otto Wallin in October, but pulled out due to injury. Later, the WBC ordered Fury and Whyte to face in a mandatory fight, but Fury and his management seem to have been doing everything to avoid it and skip to face Usyk instead.

But Joshua and Whyte continued to stay in the way.

A purse bid went on for Fury-Whyte, which finally happened after about five delays. Warren won the rights with a $41 million bid; Fury will get $32.8 million while Whyte takes $8.2 million.

Joshua reacted to the news with a simple statement.

“Even though Dillian Whyte is an enemy of mine, I’m low key happy for him,” he said.

The fight is targeted for April 23 in the U.K.