Tyson
Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have a new date for their
highly-anticipated fight, and pulling out will have massive
repercussions for both parties.
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Fury and Usyk were originally scheduled to clash in a heavyweight
title unifier on Feb. 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, the
booking fell through less than two weeks before fight night, as it
was announced on Friday that Fury has been forced out due to a
severe cut suffered in sparring.
Usyk’s camp expressed frustration upon hearing the news, even
calling for Fury to be stripped off his WBC title. However, the
fight has now been rebooked for May 18 in Saudi Arabia with a
significant pullout clause in place. Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of
General Authority for Entertainment of Saudi Arabia, announced that
both Usyk and Fury have agreed to forfeit $10 million from their
respective fight purses if they fail to show up on the rebooked
date. Alalshikh also plans on having back-up fighters ready for the
other party if one pulls out.
“If I think Tyson is scared, I won’t waste my time in this fight.
For the 18th of May, I am guaranteeing both of the fighters a $10
million penalty if someone escapes and pulls out from the fight.
This is the first thing,” Alalshikh said on “The MMA Hour.”
“The second thing, I guarantee a big fight on the same night for
another one, and make the people around the world know if someone
is scared or wants to escape from this fight. On the 18th of May,
we will have Tyson-Usyk or Usyk-Tyson.
“If Usyk is scared, I will call for Joshua-Tyson. If Tyson is
scared, I will call for any fighter that Usyk wants, and it is my
name in this thing and we have a guarantee from both sides.”