Tyson Fury’s camp ARE in talks with Dillian Whyte as he continues his legal fight to face him… but the Gypsy King is only willing to offer his rival 20% of the prize pot, as he says: ‘We’ll see how much he wants a world title shot’
- Tyson Fury’s team have started talking to Dillian Whyte over a mandatory fight
- Whyte has launched a legal challenge to ensure he is given a world title shot
- Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said Whyte would be offered 20 per cent split
Tyson Fury will be in his younger brother Tommy’s corner for his megabucks showbiz fight against YouTube phenomenon Jake Paul in Florida on December 18.
When the Gypsy King goes back to his day job in early spring he will be interested to discover if a shot at the world heavyweight title really matters more than money to Dillian Whyte.
If Whyte prolongs his interminable wait in the title wings while his legal action against the WBC goes to arbitration he might be able to squeeze a few percentage points extra from the purse as mandatory challenger If Fury gives him a voluntary defence he can expect to have his feet held to the financial fire.
Dillian Whyte (L) is hoping to face Tyson Fury (R) next year after launching a legal challenge
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren (R) confirmed they were holding talks with Whyte’s team, but insisted he would only be offered around £300,000
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren says: ‘We are talking to Dillian’s people but he starts at ten per cent. At best he can expect an 80-20 per cent split in Tyson’s favour because he only got £300,000 for his last fight and the WBC make judgments according to sales power.’
Fury himself bridles even at that: ‘Three hundred grand? That bum’s not worth three hundred quid. We’ll see if how much he wants a title fight?’
‘We can’t wait forever,’ says Warren. ‘Tyson needs to fight in February or early March. Joe Joyce is one of several alternates.’
Whyte’s desire for a title shot will be put to the limit as he awaits the arbitration’s decision
They are talking multi millions. Love Island favourite Tommy, in only his eighth fight, is remarkably on more than a million to join Paul on the celebrity stage in Tampa.
Tyson says: ‘My brother can take his first step in this one on his way to becoming a world champion himself but if he can’t beat Jake he might as well get out of boxing.’
Tyson, Tommy and their father John then clashed with Paul in an obscene foul mouthed tirade televised live on both sides of the Atlantic. There’s no business like show business.
Tommy Fury v Jake Paul will be televised live on BT Sport Box Office late on Saturday night December 18.