Tyson Fury’s manager has poured cold water on rumours his client has signed with Zuffa Boxing.
Fury fuelled speculation over the weekend when he teased a “big announcement” involving Dana White, while attending the UFC‘s unprecedented ‘Freedom 250’ event on the South Lawn of the White House.
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Fury teased a “big announcement” involving White over the weekend in WashingtonCredit: Getty
Both Fury and White remained coy on the particulars, leading many to surmise that ‘The Gypsy King’ had inked a deal with Zuffa, the upstart promotion led by White and funded by Saudi boxing mogul Turki Alalshikh.
Further fuel was added to the fire when Fury took to social media to assert that ‘Alalshikh will be his promoter until he retires’.
However, Brown insists that Fury is still under contract with long-time promoter Frank Warren and his company Queensberry Promotions.
No deal with Zuffa
“Let me tell you, he’s not signed for Zuffa Boxing,” Brown told talkSPORT pundit Gareth A. Davies during an interview on the veteran journalist’s YouTube channel.
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“It was all an illusion. You’re talking about promoters here who are masters of illusion.
“This is how simple it really is: he was invited to the fight over the weekend to go to the White House and meet the [US] President [Donald Trump] and to see the spectacle,” Brown added.
“Turki Alalshikh [has] done everything for him. He laid everything on for him.
“It’s as simple as that. There’s no contract being signed. It’s as simple as that.
“Frank Warren is still his promoter, but Turki underwrites his fights…
“I can categorically tell you that there is no contract with Zuffa for Tyson Fury.
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Brown (left) insists Fury is still under contract with Warren (right)Credit: GETTY
“But he has worked with TKO before, and he’s worked with the WWE and Nick Khan, and he knows Dana White very well.”
Fury, who reversed his retirement in April to outpoint Arslanbek Makhmudov, is set to return to the ring sometime in August for a tune-up fight ahead of his long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua.
The bitter rivals are expected to meet in November, provided both men win their respective interim fights.
Fury’s opponent has yet to be announced, although Albania’s Nelson Hysa is reportedly in the mix.
Joshua is due to face Hysa’s compatriot Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
London’s Wembley Stadium had initially been the preferred venue for Joshua-Fury.
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But concerns with the temperamental British weather have led organisers to consider staging the fight in the US.
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Las Vegas is now reportedly the frontrunner, with other US cities also under consideration.