Boxing promoter Frank Warren has come to the defence of Tyson Fury as he and his team have been criticised by frustrated fight fans over the ongoing Oleksandr Usyk saga.
The highly-anticipated bout, which would have seen a undisputed heavyweight champion crowned for the first time since 1999, was called off just over a month out from its scheduled date at the end of this month (29 April) following a dispute over some of the particulars in the contract.
Moreover, after a controversial clip of Fury explaining that he’ll “never fight” Usyk resurfaced online, along with various other ‘offensive’ and ‘unpalatable’ comments throughout negotiations, the Ukrainian’s camp has stated that the Furys have “disrespected the fans” and it looks like many of them agree.
Fatigued with the typical and tiresome back and forth the sport seems to be continually throwing up, many fans are now calling out Fury for ‘wasting their time’ and effectively exploding the fight from within. However, his promoter Frank Warren believes their criticism is misplaced.
Frank Warren on Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk: “Do you know what's killed this? Social media. All the p***ing around on social media. If it'd been left to people to do it in a grown-up way, there wouldn't have been a problem.” [@talkSPORT talkBOXING]
Speaking to Simon Jordan on talkSPORT‘s boxing show, Warren clarified that despite mixed information from both sides, it was Fury’s camp that requested a rematch clause be inserted into the agreement to not only give Usyk multiple chances, but to increase the payday on both sides.
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He also detailed how Usyk and co. stipulated that they wanted a 70/30 split of the purse from the rematch as well, i.e. the reverse of the original deal for the first fight — one of several reasons why discussions apparently broke down.
Moreover, the head of Queensberry Promotions said that another aspect that has complicated the fight is social media, insisting that “if it’d been left to people to do it in a grown-up way, there wouldn’t have been a problem”.
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Admitting that even Tyson hasn’t helped in that respect, especially when it came to putting out seemingly arbitrary deadlines regarding the Antony Joshua fight as well — one which also collapsed in a similarly drawn out fashion — he argued that both boxers have ended up drumming up a stance and sticking with it.
Warren went on to say that despite a “few Tyson Fury haters” popping up of late, the Gypsy King “has never ducked anybody” and has fought plenty of his own ‘underdog’ fights in his time, including his bout against Wladimir Klitschko when he earned just £1 million as the mandatory challenger.
The 71-year-old insisted that people shouldn’t “criticise Tyson Fury [because] he’s had three fights in the [United] States against [Deontay] Wilder, great fights. One was probably the best round of the last ten years – that last round of the first fight.
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“The second fight was a phenomenal performance, and the third fight was the best heavyweight fight I’ve seen live in my time in boxing”, he said, adding that it was Usyk that pulled out and had flown out to Turkey despite claiming to be in Kyiv.
It’s unlikely we’ll ever get the full truth from either side but, regardless, Warren reiterated that Usyk will now have to fight a mandatory bout against Daniel Dubois before he can get the opportunity to challenge Fury again. You can watch his interview with talkSPORT in full down below:
Featured Image — Tyson Fury (via Instagram)/Wikimedia Commons/Oleksandr Usyk
Sport
AO Arena to host huge Europa League Final fan zone after Manchester United victory
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary AO Arena will once again host an almighty football fan zone later this year, welcoming in fans for the Europa League Final.
The huge venue previously hosted a Road to Victory fan zone for the Euros, and is now ready to replicate all the atmosphere and excitement of the beautiful game once again.
This time it’s in honour of Manchester United, who romped their way into the Europa League Final this evening with a spectacular 4-1 victory (7-1 on aggregate) over Athletic Club.
The Red Devils will be heading to that same team’s home stadium of San Mamés in Bilbao in Spain on 21 May 2025, and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here at home in Manchester.
The AO Arena Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be presented by Red Square.
If you think that name rings a bell, you’re right: they’re the same folks behind the regular events held over at Victoria Warehouse for any big United games, and 21 May will be no different – other than being arguably their biggest date ever.
There’ll be space for thousands upon thousands of football fans who’ll be able to watch Ruben Amorim’s side potentially take home their first piece of silverware since his arrival.
If you saw the scenes at Road to Victory in the AO during Euro 2024, you’ll know how unbelievable a venue this is to watch the footy.
As the promoters have billed it: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Europa League Final, presented by Red Square.
“Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together passionate Manchester United fans for the largest indoor fan park extravaganza ever witnessed!
“MANCHESTER UNITED head to the UEL final on Wednesday, 21st May – Secure your tickets now!”
The Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be at the AO Arena on 21 May.
Salford City FC have been bought out by a new consortium
Danny Jones
Another era beckons for Salford City as a buyout of the Greater Manchester football club by a new consortiumhas been announced.
Well, sort of.
Salford City FC were famously the subject of a joint takeover by Singaporean businessman Peter Lim and members of Manchester United’s Class of ’92 over a decade ago, and now 11 years on from that last milestone moment in their history, the local side has a new administration once again.
It is a fresh chapter for the club, but supporters will be glad to hear that there will also be some continuity and key throughline of consistency among some of those at the top.
Salford City announces that the Club has been acquired by a new ownership group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville, and includes US-based businessman Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies who will both serve as new Co-Chairs of the Club’s board.
Led by Man United legends Gary Neville and David Beckham, who have been involved with Salford since 2014, the new nine-member consortium consists of the Dream Sports Group – a leading sports technology company based in India – along with a number of other key figures.
One of those is Lord Mervyn Davies, a former Labour MP and Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Small Business, who still serves as a trade envoy between the UK and Sri Lanka.
Another is Irish-American entrepreneur Declan Kelly, who is Chairman and CEO of The Consello Group, a global advisory and investing firm.
While the previous co-owners and fellow Class of ’92 United graduates are no longer shareholders at Moor Lane, it is said they will still play important roles at the club.
As the official statement reads, “The acquisition includes a commitment by the new shareholders to invest significantly in the Club, the team and its facilities”, meaning there will funds will likely be sweet aside not only for some healthy transfer business but more updates to the Peninsula Stadium.
Commenting on the announcement, Neville said: “I’m passionate about Salford City. This is a unique partnership with a diverse range of minds and expertise, held together by a love of football.
“Football will come first, however, it’s critical that we drive the Club towards sustainability in the next 4-5 years. I can’t wait for the next part of this journey.”
Meanwhile, Beckham went on to add in the excitable Instagram post seen above: “Salford played such an important role in my life growing up… It’s where I trained with United alongside my best mates every day, it’s where I bought my first house and where me and Victoria lived.
“I’m so proud to be part of a new ownership group alongside my mate [Neville] as we begin the next chapter of Salford’s journey. Football is at the heart of this community and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Ammies.
Danny Jones -
4th April 2023 
