Oleksandr Usyk fight with Tyson Fury off due to 'unacceptable' demands of British fighter

The much-anticipated heavyweight unification bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury appears to be off with the Ukrainian's promoter blaming “unacceptable” demands made by the British fighter.

The duo had reportedly agreed to an April 29 fight at London's Wembley Stadium with a purse split 70-30 in Fury's favour but other terms were still to be decided.

But rumours began circulating on social media early on Wednesday and it was later confirmed by Usyk's promoter that talks had collapsed.

The WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champion could now seek to defend his belts against Britain's Daniel Dubois, the mandatory WBA challenger.

“The fight is called off,” promoter Alex Krassyuk told talkSPORT on Wednesday.

“The reason for that is it went too far. There was a feeling that after Usyk accepted 70-30, Tyson Fury started thinking that he could put a saddle around his neck and start riding Usyk as much as he can.

“It’s not right. I mean, Usyk accepted the 70-30 split as a courtesy. He was so loyal and he was so willing to make this fight happen. But the fight isn’t about Tyson Fury, the fight is about the WBC belt [that Fury holds] that is pending in his collection.

“The only thing that stays in my mind, we can claim very clearly that undisputed stays our highest priority and we will do our best to make it happen in the shortest period of time, and whoever is the temporary holder of the WBC belt we will try to make it happen.”

The heavyweight division has not had an undisputed champion since 1999 when Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield – and there has never been one in the four-belt era.

Fury – who has won 31 and drawn one in his undefeated professional career – retained his WBC title in his previous bout in December after a