ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed that Oleksandr Usyk quit negotiations with Tyson Fury after reading his book.

Usyk was set to take on Fury later this month in arguably the biggest heavyweight bout of all time.

He had initially agreed to all terms set by the Gypsy King – including a 70-30 purse split in "greedy" Fury's favour – but talks broke down at the end of March.

And former heavyweight champion Joshua has hinted that Usyk called it quits after reading Fury's book.

AJ told Boxing Social: "Usyk said he was reading Fury’s book, and he said stalling negotiations was a part of his (Fury’s) tactic.

"So when he read that he was like ‘I’m done with these negotiations’.

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"When you know someone, not only physically, obviously you’re going to fight them so you study their craft.

"But you know them mentally – why are you playing into their games?

"Usyk had these negotiations. I’m not playing into these games anymore."

Usyk’s agent, Egis Klimas, claimed that Fury was entirely to blame for negotiations breaking down.

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In March, he said: "No matter how much Usyk compromised, he was pushed for more."

The Ukrainian is now plotting a mandatory defence of his belts for the summer.

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