By Tim Royner: Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn is rejecting the reports of negotiations taking place between heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury for a fight in the Middle East in December. Hearn says it’s NOT true.
There haven’t been any negotiations. IBF/WBA/WBO champion Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) is still under contract to defend against his IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) next, and Fury is under contract to give Deontay Wilder a rematch.
As far as Hearn is concerned, Joshua is still facing Pulev, and Wilder is taking on Fury next. When those two fights are done, the winners will battle to determine who is the last man standing.
Hearn: There are NO negotiations taking place for Joshua-Fury
“Last night, I had a call from ESPN asking me that sources tell them that negotiations are underway, and I just told them, ‘Negotiations AREN’T underway.’ That’s the first thing,” said Hearn to Sky Sports Boxing on a fight between Joshua and Fury. “We [Joshua] have a contract to fight Kubrat Pulev next, and Tyson Fury has a contract to fight Deontay Wilder next.
“Obviously, with everything that’s happened, I believe there’s keenness from Anthony Joshua and our team and keenness from the sides of Tyson Fury and his team to go straight into that fight potentially. There is, like I said, the major hurdle of we’re both under contract for other fights.
“So firstly, there are no negotiations that have taken place. Those negotiations can’t take place until we know that Deontay Wilder will step aside, and Kubrat Pulev will step aside. Everything is tolerable with money,” said Hearn.
Looks like ESPN’s source that started the talk of the Fury vs. Joshua negotiations on Thursday night was wrong. It might have been wishful thinking on their part, as the chances of Wilder stepping aside are slim and none. It’s common knowledge at this point that Wilder will NOT be stepping aside to let Fury fight Joshua. Further, Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) has no interest in stepping aside either.
Offers coming in to stage Joshua vs. Fury
“What has been happening is, we’ve had a number of approaches from territories asking and inquiring and making offers to stage that fight,” said Hearn on Fury vs. Joshua. “Ourselves and MTK have been in discussions looking at the offers for when that fight can take place.
“Initially, we were looking in fighting on June the 20th, Fury against Wilder was July. We all planned to make this fight in December. Now could we go straight into a fight in December? Will we even have the opportunity to have a live audience in December? Maybe not.
“As we stand right now, our next fight and AJ’s next fight is Kubrat Pulev, and Fury’s next fight is Deontay Wilder. Could a deal be struck for them to step aside? Absolutely. Would we be willing to entertain it? Absolutely. But right now, the focus is on the contracts we have signed with a move for the winners to fight the winners probably in Spring 2021,” said Hearn.
Saudi Arabia will have a good shot at landing the Joshua-Fury fight if they want it. Even with the drop in oil prices, Saudi will put in a reasonable offer to get the fight.
British boxing fans want the fight to take place in the UK, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. Unless Joshua and Fury wish to lose out on a lot of money, the fight won’t be taking place in the UK. There’s not whole lot British fans can do other than try and see things from Fury and Joshua’s perspective
It’s still too early to talk about Fury vs. Joshua because both champions still need to win their next fights before you can talk about when and where they’ll their contest will take place.
Hearn wants Joshua vs. Fury in the UK
“I think the ambition from these people will be even higher,” said Hearn when asked if Saudi Arabia will still want to host the Joshua vs. Fury fight, given the drop in oil prices worldwide. “To be honest, it’s not really about Saudi Arabia. We’ve had two other offers coming from other territories as well.
“We don’t know which territory now will be allowed to implement a live audience before the countries. If you look at territories like New Zealand and Australia, it looks like there are zero cases in New Zealand and very few in Australia. So there’s going to be some countries that are going to start this up sooner than others.
“For me, we would love to bring AJ against Fury to the UK. Right now, especially in December, that doesn’t look like a possibility. So while I would love to tell you that we’re in negotiations and it’s close, what we’re doing is talking, and we’re all moving in the right direction.
“We all have the same mindset, which is to create the biggest fight in boxing history between two British champions fighting for the undisputed heavyweight championship. You will get this fight. It’s just a case of when and where,” said Hearn on the Joshua vs. Fury unification match.
Well, if the UK can match the money offered by one of the other countries, then we’ll see Joshua vs. Fury take place there. However, it’s reasonable to assume that the Joshua-Fury fight WON’T be taking place in the UK because the money offered there won’t come close to what one of the countries provide for the fight.
