Tyson Fury offered deal to fight Wladimir Klitschko rematch on yacht in front of 120 millionaires only

Both Fury and Klitschko were open to the idea but fans would've missed out on the rematch as it would not have been shown on TV

Tyson Fury was offered the chance to fight Wladimir Klitschko on a boat (Getty Images)

Tyson Fury has revealed that a lucrative offer to fight Waldimir Klitschko in a rematch for the world heavyweight championships he won last November has failed – because it was due to take place on a yacht in front of just 120 millionaires.

Fury is currently weighing up whether or not to fight again after admitting that he is struggling to find the motivation to continue his boxing career, although he did not suggest that he is considering retirement yet.

But despite the likes of Wembley and Croke Park featuring among the candidates to stage the rematch, Fury has revealed a rather more bemusing offer that both he and Fury agreed to consider, only for it to sink before it could swim.

“The sheik wanted us to fight as we sailed on an exclusive cruise with just 120 millionaires on board paying one million dollars each to watch,” Fury told reporters. “No TV, no press. Just some of the wealthiest men in the world. And it was deadly serious.

“Wladimir was up for it. I was super up for it as I would have been getting the lion’s share of the $120million (£82m). It fell through in the end and one of the problems was our fans being shut out.”

The offer meant that the heavyweight showdown would not have been screened live of television, and fans would have missed out on seeing the Manchester-born fighter taking on the Ukrainian Klitschko in a much-anticipated rematch.

While Fury stressed that he is not yet sold on a rematch, he did acknowledge that a rematch on 4 June at Wembley Stadium appeals to him, in the hope of avoiding the journey to Germany again to face Klitschko in his adopted ‘home’ country, having fought out of Germany throughout his 10-year reign as heavyweight world champion.

The date was being reserved by boxing promoter Eddie Hearn in the hope of securing a fight between his client, Kell Brook, and fellow Briton Amir Khan. However, Khan’s agreement this week to fight Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas has left the date vacant, and Fury is ready and waiting to fill it with a rematch against Klitschko.

“It’s absolutely ideal for us to take over,” Fury added. “It’s looking like our fight will be in the summer. Early June is perfect. It gives me my correct preparation time and we’ll be done before my wife has our baby in July.

“Would I like to fight in front of 80,000 at Wembley Stadium like Carl Froch? I’d love it.”