Tony Bellew has urged Anthony Joshua to reject Tyson Fury’s offer of a 60-40 split, insisting the former is still a much bigger draw than ‘The Gypsy King’.
With a unification fight against Oleksandr Usyk having to wait until 2023, Fury has offered Joshua the chance to fight for his WBC heavyweight title in a fight that will take place before the end of the year.
Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, confirmed yesterday an offer was being sent to Joshua and his team with Fury later confirming the terms of the deal, with the fight purse split 60-40 in his favour.
Joshua is coming off the back of two consecutive defeats to Usyk which are likely to leave him in world title wilderness for the immediate future should a deal to fight Fury not be agreed.
But former cruiserweight champion Bellew believes the 2012 Olympian should hold out for a 50-50 split, comparing Joshua’s situation to that of Conor McGregor, insisting both men remain the biggest draws in combat sport despite recent losses.
‘He’s come off the back of two defeats and yet a champion is calling you out,’ Bellew told talkSPORT. “The best way I can analyse this and add it up would be Conor McGregor is coming off two defeats but still every single UFC fighter in the business calls out his name.
‘It’s very similar to AJ now. AJ is the biggest draw in the heavyweight division. I’m sorry to say it guys. It doesn’t matter if he’s lost twice or not – he’s still the biggest draw.
‘There’s a reason why he does what he does. He’s just been brilliantly managed, promoted and it’s been a dream. But ultimately he knocks people out.
‘Yes, he’s coming off the back of two defeats but why is the best fighter in the world calling his name? Why does he want to face him? You’ve got to ask that question.
‘When you start putting out offers and saying, ‘I’ll give you 60-40…’ I’m not being funny guys but people like Conor McGregor, people like Anthony Joshua, they don’t bow to other people’s demands because the draw they bring is so big.
‘This guy took boxing to Saudi Arabia, just remember that – the desert, never been there before. He has an awful lot of power to his hand and people like to point out it’s a different model, UFC to boxing.
‘In hindsight, it’s really not. Are you the biggest draw or are you not? There’s a reason why he’s being called out. He’s coming off two defeats like we’ve just said and yet Tyson Fury is calling his name.
‘If you are going to be reasonable and say 50-50 of it would be crazy not to take it but personally if I was him then I would be hesitant. Because you bring more to the table, more than the champion himself.’
MORE : Tyson Fury reveals ‘take it or leave it’ offer to Anthony Joshua is 60-40 split
MORE : Frank Warren confirms official offer for Anthony Joshua to fight Tyson Fury will be sent across today
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Boxing News Click Here
