Bob Arum says a 50/50 wallet split is ‘not right’ for Tyson Fury’s title fight with Oleksandr Usyk

Bob Arum has said the preferred location for the undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is Saudi Arabia but acknowledged the blockbuster fight could take place in the UK.

Arum said Saudi Arabia is the more lucrative option and explained how they plan to direct the fight in the Middle East. However, he revealed how Wembley Stadium had been named as an alternative option.

Arum also explained how the location of the fight would determine how the purse would be split between the boxers, as he said a fight in the UK would attract more UK fans and higher pay-per-view sales due to Fury’s presence.

Bob Arum has said the preferred venue for the undisputed heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is Saudi Arabia but acknowledged the UK could be a fallback option

Arum also explained how the location of the fight would determine how the purse would be split between Usyk (left) and Fury (right).

The venue for the blockbuster has yet to be determined but Arum has said having the fight take place in Saudi Arabia is the right price. If not, it will take place at Wembley.

Arum also said the location of the fight will determine the split of the purse as he believes Fury deserves the “lion’s share” if the fight takes place in the UK.

Speaking to Boxing Scene, Arum said: “Everyone agreed that if [Saudi Arabia’s] Offer comes through and it’s real, that’s how we’ll proceed. If not, we will fight at Wembley.”

The blockbuster fight between Fury and Usyk is expected to take place no later than March 4th

“The fighters have agreed to fight. I spoke to Frank Warren. We give them up [this] Week coming up with their offer which I think we’ll get. If not, then we’ll fight at Wembley.

“And then we would have to talk about the percentages because Usyk wants 50-50. That’s not right if the fight is at Wembley as there will be 95,000 Brits at the fight and big UK pay-per-view money so Tyson deserves the lion’s share.

“But we don’t get to the point when the [investors in Saudi Arabia] get through because they operate in such a way that they do business with each of the fighters.

Arum says Fury will earn the “lion’s share” of the purse if the fight takes place in the UK

“We were led to believe that they would come up with a proposal [this] Week. I’ll believe it when I see it, but it’s not like they haven’t come through in the past.

The blockbuster fight, which will see the division united for the first time since Lennox Lewis in 1999, is expected to take place no later than March 4th.

The Ukrainian will put his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts on the line against The Gypsy King. Meanwhile, Fury will bring his WBC title to the table.