Eddie Hearn has claimed that Tyson Fury doesnβt want to fight Oleksandr Usyk next and he will instead defence his WBC heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte.
Speculation that Anthony Joshua could step aside from his rematch with Usyk in order to facilitate an undisputed fight had intensified in recent weeks, in no small part due to comments from Hearn fuelling the fire.
However, Fury took to social media on Thursday to confirm that Dillian Whyte would be his next opponent, suggesting that a deal was not concluded and the heavyweight division will proceed as was initially planned.
MORE: (Video) Tyson Fury FINALLY confirms who he will be fighting next
There was no insight given by Fury as to why things played out this way, but according to comments on the matter from Hearn, the Gypsy King quite simply did not what Usyk as his next opponent.
Of course, we ought to take anything said by Hearn on team Fury with a pinch of salt, such is the nature of the rivalry, but itβll be interesting to see how the WBC heavyweight champion responds to the claims that it was he who bottled it.