Tyson Fury wants 80-20 split with David Haye, sets deadline for end of month

Does Tyson Fury really want to fight David Haye, or is this another case of Fury and his team declaring war on a notable opponent, only to have it ultimately go nowhere?

Fury tells Sky Sports that he's asked for an 80-20 split for the fight, and that Haye has until the end of the month to sign the deal. On its surface, this really sounds like Fury is just grandstanding about fighting Haye, as he and promoter Mick Hennessy are both fully aware -- or else insane -- that Haye is not going to take 20% to fight Tyson Fury.

"Haye is a 'has-been' and I'm what's in fashion at the moment in the heavyweight division so I should get the lion's share," he said. "We've got a deadline of the end of the month to sign the contract and if he doesn't sign then Team Fury moves on.

"But as far as I'm concerned there's nothing I'd like more than to beat David Haye up. There is room for negotiation so hopefully we'll come to an agreement very soon."

Haye (26-2, 24 KO) remains one of the sport's biggest attractions, even though he's purely a part-time fighter at this stage of his career. Fury (21-0, 15 KO) is undoubtedly on his way to becoming one of the top draws in the sport, and has notoriety in the UK, obviously, while also using a spot on NBC to draw the highest TV rating of the year for American boxing, too.

As for "room for negotiation," that room better have about a 40% cushion, or he's not going to get his alleged wish to beat up Haye. I could see this happening at 60-40 Haye, the more established star and miles beyond anyone Fury has fought in terms of fame or standing in the division, or maybe at 50-50 if Haye takes this all personally or whatever.

Of course, we're talking about Tyson Fury and David Haye here, two of the top P4P bullshit press manipulators in the sport, so take it all with a fistful of salt.