For the first time since September, Tyson Fury will fight someone else.
Queensberry promotions won the rights to the title fight between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte with a commitment of $41,025,000 on Friday. The champion is entitled to 80% of the purse.
The top contender in the World Boxing Council is entitled to $8,200,000. Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing was the only other bidder.
According to sources, the fight is being planned for April 23 in the U.K. Top Rank will co-promote the event with Warren. Sources say that the fight will be a pay-per-view in the US and a pay-per-view in the UK.
I can't wait to punch him in the face. Dillian, train hard, because you are getting destroyed.
The auction ends weeks of negotiations that would have paid Joshua and Whyte millions to avoid bouts with Usyk and Fury. Sources said that the deal fell apart after the parties tried to change their minds at the eleventh hour.
The proposed deal would have allowed for a fight between Usyk and Fury in June in Saudi Arabia. Instead, he will defend his title against a fellow Englishman.
Before he was upset by Alexander Povetkin in August 2020, he was the top contender for more than 1,000 days without a title shot. He regained his status as the No. 1 contender when he avenged the knockout with a TKO in March 2021.
The most accomplished active boxer to never receive a title shot is the No. 6 boxer in the world. He lost to Joshua in 2015, but he has victories over Joseph and Chisora.
It will be the first time in the U.K. since August that Fury will fight. That was the second comeback fight for the man who relinquished his title as he struggled with substance abuse and depression.
The Gypsy King has two victories over the other man. There is one fight left on his six-fight deal with Top Rank.
A win over Whyte would set up a fight for the undisputed title. Usyk and Joshua are expected to meet again in the spring in the U.K., and whoever emerges with three titles could meet Fury later this year.
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