'The fight is not big enough' - Hearn explains why Saudi Arabia declined to host Fury against Usyk
British sports promoter and chairman of Matchroom Sports Edward Hearn has explained the hold-up in the heavyweight boxing division.
According to several sources, Saudi Arabia declined to host an undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury the WBC heavyweight champion teased a potential fight with Usyk the IBF, IBO, WBA, and WBO title holder.
American lawyer and boxing promoter with Top Rank Robert Arum earlier in the week revealed that a fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will not take place in Saudi Arabia.
Arum stated that the Saudis are not available to do that fight in the time period required.
In an interview with ID Boxing, Arum said, "We're looking to put the fight at Wembley stadium and we're getting close with the negotiations with both Usyk and his promoter K2 and with Tyson.
"So hopefully we can get busy with that fight as early as next week and get the thing going.
"We would like very much to do a press conference not only in London but to bring the fighters over to New York and to do a press conference in New York as well."
Hearn on Saudi Arabia declining Fury vs Usyk
Hearn upon learning the Saudis declined to host an undisputed fight between Fury and Usyk gave his thoughts.
He said even though all the belts in the heavyweight division as at stake in a fight between Usyk and Fury, Joshua is the big draw.
In an interview with Boxingscene Hearn said, "The fight's not big enough. The fight's not big enough for the money Tyson Fury wants because it doesn't involve Anthony Joshua.
'[Joshua] may be the only guy that can command that kind of money, but hopefully, we can make Tyson Fury [fight] against Anthony Joshua, and then Tyson will get the numbers he wants."
While Fury and Usyk are still in negotiations, Anthony Joshua returns to the ring against Jermaine Franklin at the O2 SArena in London on Saturday, April 1, 2023.