Tyson Fury: Saudi tournament could fall through due to WBA demands - resulting in new opponent for Gypsy King

The proposed four-man heavyweight tournament in Saudi Arabia this December could fall through due to WBA demands.
The proposed tournament could be forced to evolve to showcase a long awaited fight between Tyson Fury (right) and Anthony Joshua (left) - (Photo: Getty Images)The proposed tournament could be forced to evolve to showcase a long awaited fight between Tyson Fury (right) and Anthony Joshua (left) - (Photo: Getty Images)
The proposed tournament could be forced to evolve to showcase a long awaited fight between Tyson Fury (right) and Anthony Joshua (left) - (Photo: Getty Images)

Tyson Fury is one of four world class heavyweight boxers likely to compete in the four-man Saudi tournament to crown the undisputed world heavyweight champion. Fighting alongside the Gypsy King is rumoured to be Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, and Deontay Wilder.

However, the plans for the star-studded tourney could fall through before they are even confirmed. British heavyweight Daniel Dubois could potentially throw a huge spanner in the works.

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Oleksandr Usyk, the current heavyweight super champion, has been in talks to fight Tyson Fury for what feels like an age. With plans falling through on several occasions, Usyk has not put on his boxing gloves since August last year for his bout against Anthony Joshua.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) initially ordered Usyk to defend his title against Dubois last December. However, the Ukrainian  was given extra time due to ongoing negotiations with Tyson Fury. They once again ordered the fight earlier this year at the start of April. Although the match looks likely to go ahead, no deal has yet been agreed between the two fighters.

This Sunday ( May 15), the WBA reported the Usyk vs Dubois clash will go to purse bid. On May 25, in Texas, bidders will meet to attempt to attain rights to the fight for the minimum amount of $1,000,000.

If a deal is not reached by May 25, the WBA will order Usyk to instead fight Deontay Wilder. If this was to happen, it is extremely unlikely that either of these two boxers would appear in the Saudi Arabia tournament this December.

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It would not be all bad news however, as the remaining two contenders in the tournament would be Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. In 2022, the two British heavyweight titans were set to fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in December. 

Unfortunately, just three  months prior to the bout, Fury announced the fight was off the cards as Joshua failed to sign the contract before the Gypsy King’s proposed deadline. Fury took to Instagram to drag the OBE winner, writing: "It's officially over for Joshua. He is now out in the cold with the wolf pack, forget about it. Idiot. Coward!"