Tyson Fury secured the biggest deal in UK boxing history this week and immediately fired a warning to Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
Fights against both are potentially off the table until the end of the year. In the meantime, the lineal heavyweight title-holder plans to make himself the division’s number one star.
Fury signed a deal with ESPN worth over $100 million. He’s now set to return in May or June.
“ESPN is the biggest sporting network in the world. Combined with BT Sport, so I’ll have dual viewers from America and the UK,” said Fury.
“It allows me to fight on the biggest broadcasting network in the world. To be shown to the most people. To be in a position to make the biggest and best fights possible.
“Also, not to be an opponent (as with Wilder in December). They have to come to the Tyson Fury show now.
“With ESPN and BT Sport behind me, the biggest sports platforms in the world are now linked up with the best heavyweight in the world!”
Frank Warren said: “Tyson Fury and Queensberry have signed a long term deal with ESPN and Top Rank. They will be Tyson’s exclusive broadcaster in the States.
“This is going to be something special for Tyson. It gives him the chance to be the one that everyone wants to fight. He will not have to do as he did and go to Germany to fight Klitschko or fight Wilder on Showtime on their terms. We now have the biggest platform for him to be on.
“This is a great move for Tyson and a great move for Queensberry Promotions. Partnering up with ESPN and Top Rank in America. We’re giving our boxers – including Tyson, the opportunity to perform on the biggest and most powerful platforms on both sides of the Atlantic. They can become truly global stars.”
TOP RANK
Bob Arum earlier said of the deal: “Top Rank is very excited to enter into the promotional arrangement along with Queensberry Promotions for the lineal heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury.
“He is a generational heavyweight talent at the peak of his powers.”
The deal will see Tyson Fury feature regularly in the US, live on BT Sport in the UK, and ESPN in the US.
