Tyson Fury has set a seven-day deadline to arrange a unification fight with Oleksandr Usyk and lure him out of retirement.
Usyk called out WBC heavyweight champion Fury following his split decision victory over Anthony Joshua in Jeddah on Saturday to retain his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO belts.
Fury's promoter Frank Warren had said that a bout with Usyk is “the only fight” Fury wants, and the Englishman has set a deadline of September 1 for the respective parties to make the matchup happen.
Fury posted on social media: “For all these suitors out there that want to make the fight, I’m going to give you all seven days until September 1st to come up with the money, if not thank you very much, it’s been a blast, I’m retired.
“All offers submitted must be to my lawyer in writing with proof of funds, so let the games begin.”
If some of the figures being floated - Fury has said he wants £500 million to fight Usyk - bear fruit it could potentially top the 2015 showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquaio as the richest fight in history once pay-per-views and other revenues are factored in.
Fury, 34, said before his last fight - a sixth-round stoppage of Dillian Whyte in London in April - that he would retire from boxing, though many doubted whether the "Gypsy King" was serious with a potential blockbuster clash with Joshua on the cards if his fellow Brit had beaten Usyk in their rematch.
In a recent interview with talkSPORT radio, Warren said a potential showdown between the two unbeaten fighters would be "boxing’s World Cup", and hinting that, like Usyk-Joshua II, that the fight could take place in the Middle East.
After the Ukrainian beat Joshua in Saudi Arabia for his 20th victory in as many pro bouts, Warren said: “The challenge is going to be meeting the financial expectations of both guys. It has to be much bigger than that [Usyk v Joshua II] because you’ve got two undisputed fighters and the first time the four belts have been on the line.
“It’s a unique situation and what adds to it is that they are both undefeated, which is quite unusual.”
If the fight did happen, the winner would become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999-2000, only the sixth of all time and the first of the four-belt era following the rise of the WBO.
Fury boasts an unbeaten record of 32 wins and one draw while Usyk has a perfect 20 victories from as many fights.
-
Oleksandr Usyk after retaining his world heavyweight titles in a split decision against Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PA -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk after winning in Jeddah. PA -
Oleksandr Usyk reacts after his victory. PA -
Anthony Joshua speaks to the crowd following his defeat against Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk touch gloves at the end of the fight. PA -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with his belts and his team. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after retaining his world heavyweight titles. PA -
Anthony Joshua looks angry. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with the flag of Ukraine. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images -
Anthony Joshua on the front foot against Oleksandr Usyk. PA -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk trade punches. Getty -
Anthony Joshua evades a right. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk after receiving a low blow. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk lands a right on Anthony Joshua. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in action at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah. PA -
The ring is cleaned between rounds. Reuters -
Anthony Joshua evades a punch from Oleksandr Usyk. Getty -
Anthony Joshua with a body shot. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk throws a right. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk in action against Anthony Joshua. Action Images -
Anthony Joshua made a low-key entrance at King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn before the fight. PA
