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
‘We couldn’t see f**k all’ – Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled
Daisy Jackson
Altrincham FC’s FA Cup clash with Notts County descended into extraordinary scenes on Saturday night as thick fog engulfed the stadium, leaving supporters struggling to see the players and even broadcasters questioning what was happening.
The bizarre first-round encounter at the J Davidson Stadium saw visibility deteriorate so badly that fans resorted to holding their mobile phone torches aloft in an attempt to follow the action.
What should have been a memorable FA Cup occasion turned into something resembling a scene from a horror film, with the players increasingly disappearing into the mist.
Altrincham Today captured the surreal atmosphere, posting: “Extraordinary scenes here at the J Davidson Stadium. Visibility down to a few yards. No-one has any idea what is going on. Supporters holding mobile torches aloft, like it’s an Elton John concert. It is still 2-2, we think.”
Even television coverage struggled to make sense of the conditions.
Broadcaster Jason Mohammad joked: “Bear with us at the end of the game. We’ve not seen much of extra time where we are. We don’t have the foggiest what’s going on down the away end. Fair play – cracking game and atmosphere!”
One social media user summed up the extraordinary conditions simply, writing: “Altrincham v Notts County is currently being played in a cloud.”
Others were equally bewildered, with one supporter asking: “Spot the ball anyone? #FACup @altrinchamfc on the verge of another league scalp – although who knows what’s going on?!”
Another fan was less than impressed, posting: “Shame we couldn’t see f**k all for most of it”.
Even the stadium’s advertising boards were struggling to make an impression. James Timpson joked: “It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County!”
It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County! https://t.co/trW9imo7Xu
The unusual conditions also prompted questions over whether the match should have continued.
One Notts County supporter reflected after the game: “Unlucky guys you gave us a great game and the conditions didn’t help still say it should have been abandoned even though we scraped through!!!! Good luck for the rest of the season lads”.
And it was certainly a dramatic contest before the fog took centre stage.
Notts County initially took the lead through Jacob Bedeau in the 28th minute, but Altrincham responded through Lucas Weaver just before half-time.
Lewis Banks then put the hosts ahead in the 59th minute, raising hopes of another famous FA Cup upset against higher-league opposition.
@altrinchamfc If you say so https://t.co/6ub5YiIogD
However, Callum Roberts equalised for County in the 84th minute, sending the tie into extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to penalties, where Notts County eventually prevailed 3-2 to book their place in the second round.
While the result was heartbreaking for Altrincham, the extraordinary conditions ensured the match would be remembered for more than just the football.
For supporters at the J Davidson Stadium, it was certainly one FA Cup tie where seeing wasn’t necessarily believing.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Danny Jones -
4th April 2023 
