Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua negotiations reportedly underway with tentative talks over Saudi Arabia location
Initial, tentative negotiations for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua have reportedly now begun.
The potential all-British undisputed heavyweight world title fight is seen as the dream match-up by most boxing fans, but seemed unlikely to take place next.
Tyson Fury is WBC heavyweight champion of the world
As things stand, Deontay Wilder (owed a rematch with Fury) and Kubrat Pulev (owed a mandatory shot against Joshua) stand in the way of the bout, however representatives of both Brits are said to be exploring their options.
According to ESPN, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is talking to MTK Global – Fury’s advisors – who are negotiating on behalf of his co-promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren.
After receiving approaches from the Middle East, it’s claimed both sides are now awaiting an offer from Saudi Arabia to potentially host the event.
If the undoubtedly astronomical figure is large enough, it’s said the idea of paying Wilder and Fury to step aside would be considered.
Anthony Joshua is the WBA, IBF & WBO heavyweight champion of the world
Hearn stressed the tentative nature of the discussions, but confirmed to ESPN: “We’re talking to MTK about where that fight would take place.
“At the moment, the main focus for everybody [is] the contractual situations.
“The conversations between myself and MTK are that we’ve had an approach.
“The only discussions at the moment are where this fight takes place – and we don’t even know when this fight could take place…
As things stand, Joshua vs Pulev is set to happen next
“We’re certainly open to have discussions about the possibility of this happening this year or in the next fight.
“There’s more chance at the moment that the bigger money could come next year because we don’t even know if we can do live crowds in November, December.”
Arum added: “Let’s see what type of offers we get from the Middle East because there is a real frenzy with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, with the Emirates, to do events, to open up these countries in the winter and into next year.
“It would be foolish for us to not consider those types of offers.”
Wilder has activated his rematch clause, meaning that Fury has to fight him next unless he agrees to wait
Wilder’s co-manager Finkel insisted: “As far as we’re concerned, the next fight [for Wilder] is the third fight [with Fury].”
Whether or not this could change depending on the financials of a potential step-aside offer is as yet unknown.
There is also the continuing wider problem of the current coronavirus pandemic, which is obstructing all sport for the time being and may prevent large crowd events for the forseeable future.
Regardless, many will see it as a major positive that communication lines are open between the Fury and Joshua camps, possibly leading to a future fight, even if it is not possible to be made next.
No comments:
Post a Comment