Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury Approve Venue For Heavyweight Fight
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have approved the venue for their world heavyweight title unification fight, boxing promoter and Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn, who also represents IBF, WBA, and WBO champion Joshua, confirmed.
The two heavyweights are finally set to meet in a highly-anticipated fight after agreeing terms over a two-fight deal earlier this year.
When and where the fight will take place remain up in the air, however, with a number of options for both being considered. However, boxing promoter Hearn revealed that a choice of location is close after a meeting with Fury in Las Vegas.
“Both sides have approved the site offer that they want to go with, and now we’re just finalising the site deal and we’re in a great place,” Hearn said in an interview. “I saw Tyson yesterday. I just messaged him and said, ‘I’m in Vegas, I’m in your hotel if you fancy a ‘cuppa'(tea).”
“We just had five or 10 minutes together and it was good, because I don’t represent Tyson Fury, so I don’t know what is in his mind. What he basically cemented in my mind was, this is the only fight he wants, and I know that’s the same with AJ.”
“It just good to say, right we’ve got the offer, we all approve. We’re moving forward now. We’re good. It has been agreed by both sides, the option that we will take, and you’ll get the date very soon and the official announcement,” he added.
Saudi Arabia appears to be the frontrunner to host but there remains interest from a number of other venues including America, Qatar and Dubai.
There has been some speculation that the clash could be moved back until later in the year, but Hearn insists the plan remains for the two to meet as soon as possible.
“One hundred per cent,” Hearn added. “That’s the thing. Everybody wants this fight as soon as possible. There is no option for this fight to go at the back end of the year, and I’ve made that clear.”
“The hardest thing about securing the site is in this world we live in today, most people would like to kick it to November, December. That’s not available. It was never available. What was available was a summer fight for the undisputed world heavyweight championship.”
“That is what you’re going to get. Both guys want two fights this year. One will be in the summer and one will be in December,” Hearn said.
Chidi Nwoke/Independent.
