"Nobody could afford those purses" - Bob Arum shares update on Tyson Fury's potential rematch with Oleksandr Usyk

Bob Arum has addressed Tyson Fury's possible rematch against Oleksandr Usyk. The legendary boxing promoter notably suggested that considering the magnitude of the Fury-Usyk fight series, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Saudi sports authorities are likely the only ones who could generate enough funds to make the rematch materialize.

Saudi Arabia has garnered considerable praise for putting on a number of high-profile sports events in recent years. On that note, the historic Fury-Usyk boxing match, too, transpired at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 18, 2024.

'The Gypsy King' entered as the WBC and consensus lineal heavyweight champion. Meanwhile, Usyk held the WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles.

In their closely-contested showdown, the undefeated Usyk secured the lone knockdown and bagged the split decision victory. 'The Cat' became boxing's first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis last held the title in April 2000. The belief is that in accordance with their fight's contracts, an immediate rematch is next.

Top Rank Boxing's Bob Arum, who co-promotes Tyson Fury with Queensberry Promotions' Frank Warren, subsequently spoke to Sky Sports about the next move for the boxing great. The 92-year-old recalled sitting with Warren ringside, after the fight's 10th round, and telling him that Fury needed to win the final two rounds. He feels his fighter didn't win the 11th but clearly won the 12th round.

Arum opined that Usyk won round one, 'The Gypsy King' won the next six rounds (rounds 2-7), Usyk won the ensuing rounds (8-11), and Fury won the 12th round. He'd scored the match seven rounds to five in favor of Fury and felt the UK pugilist should've been awarded the decision victory.

Moreover, Arum asserted that "Tyson is anxious for the rematch," and it could transpire in November or December this year. He deemed an October rematch unfeasible, citing that both fighters had been training for an entire year. Arum stated:

"I think late November, early December, or mid-December would be ideal for the rematch ... I think the contract provides for Saudi Arabia to do the rematch, and the truth is that doing it any place else would be impossible even without the contract because nobody could afford those purses as big a fight as it is.

"And the Saudis are great hosts. I thought the presentation of the event was terrific. So I'm sure the rematch would occur in Saudi Arabia."

Moreover, in regard to Tyson Fury facing fellow UK boxing megastar Anthony Joshua in a long-awaited grudge match, Arum said that "he [Fury] wants that fight." He underscored that a possible Fury-Joshua fight should ideally happen at the Wembley Stadium in England.

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Revisiting Tyson Fury's remarks in immediate aftermath of Oleksandr Usyk defeat

During the press conference after his first professional boxing defeat, Tyson Fury indicated that the judges could've scored it either way and highlighted that he wouldn't cry about the verdict. In the immediate aftermath of the loss against Usyk, some feel Fury made apparently ambiguous statements about whether he'd return later this year for the immediate rematch.

For his part, Fury explained that he'll regroup, take a holiday, spend some time with the family, and then decide what's next. He noted that he'll turn 36 in a few months and has been boxing since childhood. Asserting that he'll continue boxing until he doesn't feel like doing it or can't box anymore, he said:

"Where does it all end? Do you have a 100 fights and brain damage in a wheelchair?"

Check out Tyson Fury's comments below: