He may have a heavyweight title rematch with Oleksandr Usyk looming, but former champion Tyson Fury also said he was looking beyond the Ukrainian and a lucrative showdown with British rival Anthony Joshua, saying money, not legacy, was his driving force.
Fury is aiming to seize the WBA, WBC and WBO world heavyweight titles held by Usyk when they meet for the second time at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena on Saturday.
Whatever the outcome, the ‘Gypsy King’ believes there will always be appetite for a domestic clash with Joshua even though his rival’s star has waned after his crushing fifth-round knockout by Daniel Dubois in September.
Fury was ringside at Wembley, part of the Riyadh Season series, to watch Joshua’s dramatic defeat and was caught on camera saying “that’s cost me £150 million”.
The 36 year old insisted the comment was genuine, adding that he and Joshua would have had a two-fight deal where each would have made a "ton of money".
"Unfortunately doors open, doors close,” Fury said.
Defeat to Dubois was the fourth of Joshua's 32-fight career, and the manner of it had some observers wondering if he had what it took to reclaim the heavyweight championship, having also suffered back-to-back defeats to Usyk.
Fury, who has won 34 of his pro bouts, with one draw and a defeat to Usyk the only blemishes on his record, insisted that a showdown with Joshua is still a blockbuster matchup that fight fans will pay to see.
“Does it really matter if he has another loss or not? It doesn’t matter. It’s still a big fight," Fury added.
“Even if he goes in against Dubois and he gets knocked out again ... It’s still a great fight. It’s a great fight that we all want to see.”
Joshua was heavily favoured to become a three-time world champion when he faced Dubois, only to be outclassed by his younger opponent.
A rematch looked likely to be his next step, but talks have stalled on a second bout, with Dubois now slated to face New Zealand's former WBO champion Joseph Parker in Riyadh in February.
Usyk was crowned undisputed champion with a split decision victory over Fury in May before relinquishing the IBF belt, which was awarded to sanctioning body’s No 1 challenger Dubois.
Fury reportedly earned close to £100m for the first fight with Usyk but, as challenger, will take the lower percentage for the rematch, which is reported to be worth a combined £150m.
He insisted that the financial rewards were the only reason he continued to box.
“Legacy is my kids. I care about my family, my kids, providing for them, looking after them. That’s it,” he said.
“I’m only doing it for the money. All prize fighters, if they tell the truth, do it for the money. Who here is not doing it for the money?
“I want as much as I can get. I want the easiest fights possible for the largest amounts of money possible.
“I don’t want the toughest fights possible for the least amount of money. I wasn’t born in a Christmas cracker.”
EXPATS
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Age 26
Born May 17, 1991
Height 1.80 metres
Birthplace Sydney, Australia
Residence Eastbourne, England
Plays Right-handed
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$5,761,870 (Dh21,162,343.75)
Wins / losses 312 / 181
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
THE%20SWIMMERS
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Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The%20specs
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More on Palestine-Israeli relations
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The biog
Year of birth: 1988
Place of birth: Baghdad
Education: PhD student and co-researcher at Greifswald University, Germany
Hobbies: Ping Pong, swimming, reading
Company%20profile
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
