ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury are finally ready to go to war.
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that his fighter has reached an agreement with the Gypsy King for an epic two-part heavyweight saga.
Joshua beat Andy Ruiz Jr in a rematch last year to reclaim his beltsCredit: Reuters
The deal will see two of the finest boxers from their generation face-off in the ring for the very first time.
Fury is the reigning WBC champ after dismantling Deontay Wilder in their February rematch, while Joshua took back the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles after beating Andy Ruiz Jr late last year.
The Gypsy King has been a revelation since returning to boxing in 2018Credit: PA:Press Association
When is Joshua vs Fury?
This is a showdown British fight fans have wanted for years.
It pits the silky smooth boxing skills of 6ft9 Fury against the hard-hitting knockout-ready fists of the sculpted AJ.
After boxing was forced to take a break due to the coronavirus suspension, it appears that both camps have been able to sit behind the table and get it done.
Eddie Hearn revealed on June 10 that the fighters have agreed on a two-fight contract, with ‘great progress’ made.
Dillian Whyte has earned his shot at the WBC crown after some terrific performance in the past couple of years and was re-instated as the mandatory challenger in November 2019.
As such, Fury could be in line to fight Whyte first after his epic trilogy battle with Wilder finally reaches a conclusion in the States.
That third bout was due to take place this summer, with the Gypsy King vowing to take Wilder’s “scalp” again.
Fury and Wilder have one more score to settle before the Brit can fight JoshuaCredit: AP:Associated Press
But with the coronavirus pandemic having complicated matters, other alternatives are having to be explored.
Bob Arum recently revealed that the fight could even be taken to AUSTRALIA – a country that hasn’t been as badly-hit by Covid-19 as most.
He told Sky Sports: “Our friends in Australia are talking about doing this fight, probably in Sydney. That’s a possibility.”
While AJ is set to defend his belts next against Russian slugger Kubrat Pulev, with that battle still set to go ahead despite Joshua battling an injured knee.
Currently there is no confirmed time or date for Joshua vs Fury and with plenty of water to flow under the bridge until the two Brits go toe-to-toe, expect them to go to war sometime in 2021.
Fury took to Instagram shortly after the deal was made public, calling it the ‘biggest fight in British boxing history’.
Is there a venue yet?
Fury has plied his trade over in America for his last three fights and hasn’t fought on English soil since his 2018 comeback win over Sefer Seferi.
While AJ went abroad for the very first time in 2019, leaving behind the familiar surroundings of Wembley and the Principality Stadium for New York and then Saudi Arabia.
With the two bouts expected to be in 2021 – if everything goes to plan – then you would also expect astronomical demand for tickets if it was fought here in Britain.
But one sticking point is in the Fury camp, as the Gypsy King does not hold a British boxing licence.
Earlier this year, Fury hinted at never fighting in the UK again, saying: “They had their chance.
“They didn’t treat me well. Over here [USA], I get treated like a superstar.”
Joshua hasn’t fought on British soil since September 2018Credit: Reuters
Hearn told Sky Sports News: “There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates.
“We have the Dillian Whyte mandatory which is due before this fight.
“It’s fair to say [Joshua and Fury] are in agreement regarding the financial terms of the fight.
“We’ve been talking to [Fury’s management team] MTK, giving them the assurances from Joshua’s side that all the details on the structure of the deal is approved from our side. And it is from Fury’s side, as well.
“We’re in a good place. It’s fair to say that, in principle, both guys have agreed to that fight. Two fights.
“A lot to overcome in the meantime. We’re moving in the right direction. I’m confident that both guys have giving their blessing for the fight to go ahead.”
Fury reclaimed the WBC heavyweight throne again after beating Deontay Wilder Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
How will I be able to watch on TV?
With details of the fight still to be ironed out over the coming months, TV information is still a long way off.
But you can expect this to be a pay-per-view event in the UK and around the world, with the heavyweight belts on the line in a potential fight for the ages.
No broadcast deal is yet in place either, with DAZN owning Joshua’s fights in the US and ESPN having Fury’s.
They would have to agree to share coverage of the fights – as would BT Sport and Sky Sports in the UK.
If it’s held in the UK, traditionally big fight nights are on Saturday’s with the main event starting around 11pm GMT.
But with both fighters now global stars and Fury particularly popular in America, the fight could take place in a neutral location to provide a better start time for audiences on the other side of the Atlantic.
One thing you can be sure off – you won’t want to miss it.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
