Usyk and Fury will receive smaller purses for bout than initially anticipated. What is the reason?

On May 18th in Riyadh, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk contested to determine the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since 1999.

The victory was awarded to the Ukrainian by a split decision with scores of 112:115, 114:113, 113:114, making him the holder of the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO championship belts.

• Usyk immediately after the victory over Fury addressed his father, who passed away 12 years ago

Earlier reports suggested that Fury would earn approximately £80 million for the bout, while Usyk was expected to receive around £35 million. However, according to Give Me Sport, both boxers will receive significantly less than these figures.

Due to the peculiarities of Saudi Arabian tax laws, Usyk and Fury will net only 50% of their earnings.

In the ninth round, Usyk knocked Fury down; the British fighter was saved from hitting the canvas only by the ropes and the corner. The fighters are set for a rematch this autumn, with the Ukrainian agreeing to a rematch immediately after their bout in Riyadh.