Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till has made a shocking claim about how much he will be paid for fighting Tommy Fury.
It was announced on Sunday evening that Till, 31, and Fury, 25, will face off at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester on January 18, 2025.
The Liverpool-born MMA fighter by trade is making the transition to professional boxing for the first time, but he has previously shown glimpses of his ability in the squared circle - having taken part in an exhibition match against Mohammad Mutie on July 6, 2024.
Advert
Till showed promise early in his MMA career and fought for the UFC welterweight title at just 24 years old but was beaten by the experienced then-champion Tyron Woodley.
The 31-year-old does not seem to be taking the crossover fight too seriously and cut a relaxed, jovial figure in an interview with iFL TV released on November 18.
But one claim he made was very surprising, to say the least.
Advert
“I didn’t realise how different [trying] to get fights sorted in boxing compared to MMA was,” Till told host Kugan Cassius.
“I didn’t want to say anything until the fight was signed,” he added.
The 31-year-old’s words were true, as the announcement came as a surprise to fans, with very little talk of a potential fight before it was confirmed on Sunday evening.
Advert
With Paul and Tyson’s purses for their recent bout reported to be worth around $40m and $20m, respectively, it would be wise to assume that both Till and Fury are going to be paid handsomely for their efforts.
But Till claimed he was unsure of his projected earnings for the showdown against Fury.
“I don’t even know what I’m getting paid for the fight or how many tickets [he needs to sell],” the 31-year-old added.
“I just want to fight…I’d signed and had to wait for his [Tommy Fury’s] side [of the deal to be signed].”
Advert
The Liverpudlian has not fought competitively in almost three years, having lost to South African Dricus du Plessis via submission at UFC 282 on December 10, 2022.
And you would have to go back over five years for the last time he secured victory in a professional fight – against Kelvin Gastelum on November 2, 2019.
Topics: Boxing, UFC, Tommy Fury, Darren Till, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, MMA
Luke Alfred Davies