Boxing: Promoter Bob Arum has asked Dillian Whyte to “come to the table” and “work out a serious deal” to fight Tyson Fury.
The WBC has ordered Fury to defend his heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Whyte and has stipulated that the champion must collect 80 per cent of the total purse.
The rivals have until Tuesday, January 18 to reach a secret agreement before ‘purse bids’ are ordered, which will allow any promoter to finance and produce the bout.
Arum, who promotes Fury in the United States for Top Rank, told Sky Sports of Whyte: “By taking on Fury, he can make a good paycheck and prove that he is a world-class fighter if he wants the fight and stops playing around.
“We’d like to participate in that fight. For the United Kingdom, it’s a good fight.
“Whyte should sit down with me and Frank Warren, [Fury’s UK promoter], and work out a deal for a guarantee, and we’ll get this concert on the road.
“Come to the table with me and let’s see if we can make a deal.
“Let’s not waste any more time.
“Dillian is someone I don’t know, but I believe he wants to fight. I have no idea how he thinks.
“Let’s get Fury to fight Whyte and let Oleksandr Usyk fight Anthony Joshua, who is contracted.”
Despite an ongoing arbitration between Whyte and the WBC, the WBC had ordered discussions for Fury’s mandatory fight with his British opponent in December.
Usyk will defend his IBF, WBA, and WBO titles against Joshua in a rematch before a probable undisputed title bout later this year.
Arum has previously mentioned Andy Ruiz Jr. and Robert Helenius as possible backup fighters for Fury if he is unable to reach an agreement with Whyte.
He responded, “That’s up to Tyson.” “Other opponents have been discussed.”
Fury intends to return to the ring on March 26 in the United Kingdom, but according to Arum: “What if the fight is a week or two weeks away? It isn’t the end of the world as we know it.”
After a protracted campaign to be given a chance, Whyte is on the verge of winning his first world title.
He was knocked out as interim champion by Alexander Povetkin in a shocking knockout, but he came back to revenge the loss.
Fury, who is undefeated, has won two of his three fights against Deontay Wilder and is looking to return to the UK after five battles in the United States.
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