Dillian Whyte told to "stop messing around" in order to secure Tyson Fury fight

01/13/2022

Tyson Fury's promoter has told Dillian Whyte to quit "messing around" if he wants to agree a deal for his mandatory challenge against 'The Gypsy King'.

Fury has been mandated to defend his WBC heavyweight title against domestic rival Whyte this year but negotiations have hit a stumbling block after the purses were announced at an 80:20 split in the champion's favour.

Whyte has been waiting for his shot at the world title since becoming interim champion back in 2017 and has been out of action since his successful revenge bid against Alexander Povetkin last March.

However, Arum has criticised Whyte's approach to negotiations for the fight and wants to let Joshua's rematch with Usyk go ahead with the winner of both fights to meet in an undisputed clash.

“If he wants the fight and stops messing around, he can get a good payday,” Arum told Sky Sports. “We’d like to do that fight. It’s a good fight for the UK.

"Whyte should sit down with myself and with Frank Warren and work out a deal for a guarantee, and we’ll get this show on the road.

"Come to the table and let’s see if we can carve out a real deal. Let’s quit screwing around. I don’t know Dillian but I would think he wants the fight.

"I don’t know his psyche. Let’s let Oleksandr Usyk fight Anthony Joshua, which is contracted, and let’s get Fury and Whyte to fight. If the fight is a week later or two weeks later? It's not the end of the world."

Whyte is currently appealing the purse split decision via arbitration with the WBC which is continuing to stall any negotiations take place.

Purse bids have been called for the clash which are now continuing to be delayed by the appeal process which Whyte has triggered.

Fury could fight in March or April irrespective of the situation regarding the mandatory defence and is targeting Andy Ruiz and Robert Helenius as alternative opponents.

Do you agree with Dillian Whyte appealing the purse split with Tyson Fury? Let us know in the comments section below

If either fight is to take place he will compete without the WBC belt on the line while the situation is resolved with Whyte.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has defended Whyte's recent appeal and is anticipating no deal being agreed until purse bids are completed.

"Whatever the final ruling is on the split, that's the final ruling on the split and we'll proceed from there," Hearn told iFL TV.

"I don't see a deal being done at 80-20, so then I see it just goes to purse bids – it doesn't matter if it's done via a deal or a purse bid, but I just can't see a deal being agreed that way.

"Therefore, we have to put a value on that fight and put a bid on accordingly, as do Top Rank or anyone else, and maybe someone bids crazy for that fight.

"If I'm Dillian Whyte, I'm not accepting an 80-20 split, now you'd have to accept it via a purse bid, but you don't know because you will get a much better deal financially from a purse bid, I'll make sure of it."

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