The undisputed heavyweight championship between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk apparently is too big (read: too profitable) for it to take place anywhere other than the Middle East, according to one of its organizers.

Frank Warren, the British promoter of WBC titlist Fury, recently revealed that negotiations with Usyk were “positive,” and that he expects it to happen in March. As for the location, it is most likely to take place somewhere in the Middle East because of the enormous site fees countries in that region are able to offer. The Oil Kingdom has become a major player for global sports in recent years, wooing top organizations with hefty payouts. Many have criticized this practice as “sportswashing,” as the region’s attempt to cover its many human rights violations.

Recently, the FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar, despite backlash from critics regarding the country’s anti-LGBTQ policies and horrendous treatment of its migrant workers.

In August, the heavyweight rematch between WBO, IBO, WBA, IBF champion Usyk and Anthony Joshua was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Although representatives for Fury and Usyk have floated the UK as a possibility, for example, at Wembley Stadium in London, that likelihood seems slim to nil.

“Qatar just had the World Cup,” Warren told SecondsOut.com. “A lot of people were pissed off that football was there, but it was there because they pulled up the money to make it happen. The Olympics have gone to Moscow, they’ve gone all over to places that have paid money through. This is our Olympics. This is our World Cup final.”

The organizers for Usyk-Fury have not mentioned the United States as a possible locale. Many have reported that Fury is unable to enter the United States due to his ties with alleged Irish drug cartel boss Daniel Kinahan. The US Department of Treasury put sanctions on Kinahan and several of his associates earlier this year and apparently, according to reports, have banned nearly 600 people associated with Kinahan from entering the country. 

Warren cited examples from boxing history when fights took place in far flung countries, such as the 1974 heavyweight title fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, which took place in Zaire (Now the Congo).

“Years ago the big, big fight, Foreman and Ali went to Zaire,” Warren said. “They then did fights in Philippines, Jamaica. So, they went where the money was and that’s where we’re at. Nothing changes. Exactly the same, Even if you’re a footballer you go where you can earn the most money.

"They have short careers, boxers, it’s more dangerous than any other sport. Fights like this come along once in a generation, four belts on the line. These guys are going to want to get top dollar so we gotta go where the best offer is and that’s where it’s going to wind up.”