Eddie Hearn’s plan for Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte could upset heavyweight king

Hearn has admitted that negotiations for a clash between Fury and Whyte could see the fight take place in April or May, which is significantly later than Fury planned to compete in March

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Where does Tyson Fury’s win leave the world heavyweight scene?

Eddie Hearn could stage Tyson Fury’s clash with Dillian Whyte in April or May which could leave the champion frustrated after he insisted he wanted to fight in March.

Fury is waiting for the conclusion of negotiations with Whyte after he was ordered to make a mandatory defence of his WBC title next.

However talks are currently stalled with purse bids now delayed for a second time as Whyte remains locked in arbitration with the organisation.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn has now admitted March is starting to look “unrealistic” for any showdown with Whyte.

Hearn told BBC 5 Live Boxing podcast : “People keep talking about March dates – that’s starting to look unrealistic for a fight of this magnitude.

“Either March, April, early May potentially. This is the window for the fight. Depends what happens this week. There are so many conversations going on behind the scenes right now.

“Something could turn at any moment. You’re talking about a lot of money – a difference of 25 per cent. The normal split for any mandatory challenger is a lot more than 80/20.The normal split for an interim champion is up to 45 per cent.

“We feel in terms of the commercial value of Dillian Whyte and the time he’s had to wait, 80/20 is quite ridiculous really. [It] looks like he will definitely get his shot at the WBC title.

“But we have to fight for his rights and make sure it’s fair. It’s not going to stand in the way of the fight.”

This is likely to frustrate heavyweight champion Fury further after he said he would like to fight three times in 2022.

He was largely frustrated last year fighting just once against Deontay Wilder in addition to losing out on a £100million undisputed showdown with Anthony Joshua.

The ‘Gypsy King’ has previously declared that he is willing to sack his promoters if a March return is not confirmed which is looking increasingly unlikely to be against Whyte.

Do you think Tyson Fury should wait until May to fight or pursue another option for a March return? Let us know in the comments section below

Purse bids are now expected to be called for the all-British meeting on Friday as Whyte continues to appeal the 80 per cent purse split ordered in favour of the champion.

Despite the delay the WBC champion is eyeing a definite return early this year with Robert Helenius and Manuel Charr proposed as alternative opponents.

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren previously confirmed that his charge will definitely fight in March with a provisional date pencilled in irrespective of the negotiations.

“Tyson wants the fight to be the end of March,” Warren told iFL TV. “As a team we’re looking at other situations as well.

“Whatever happens, he will fight on March 26, that’s what the objective is. I’m not going to say where it is. We do have a date here, but it could be somewhere else.

“The fact of the matter is that’s when he wants to fight.”