Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk is boxing’s World Cup and set for March, says Frank Warren

Frank Warren has hailed Tyson Fury’s undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk as boxing’s World Cup and is confident the fight will take place in March.

Fury’s dominant defeat of Derek Chisora on Saturday night paved the way for the springtime heavyweight clash with Usyk.

London is in the conversation to host it again but Warren has made no secret of the fact he will go wherever generates the most money, with Saudi Arabia believed to be the frontrunner.

Of the host venue, the promoter told Standard Sport: “You’ve got the World Cup and the Olympics, and they both go wherever there’s the most money. This is our World Cup.

“If Saudi put up the money, fantastic. It’s about where we can generate the most income. I think it’s a bit early to say at this stage but they’ve put their boxing as where they want to be and this is the biggest heavyweight fight out there for God knows how many years.

“It’s a historic fight and London is certainly in the conversation because Tyson loves the atmosphere of his fights in the UK.”

Warren held talks with Usyk’s camp over the course of the weekend and is 90 per cent confident a deal will be done to agree a fight next year.

“We’re looking to get this away by early March latest,” he said. “I’m a lot more confident with this one than the Anthony Joshua one but, until it’s signed, we’re not there.”

Should talks break down over the unification, Warren has lined up Joe Joyce as Fury’s next opponent. Joyce is provisionally scheduled to face the WBC heavyweight champion in the summer if the Usyk fight goes ahead and Fury is victorious.