ANTHONY JOSHUA vs Tyson Fury is ‘100 per cent happening’ according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
AJ’s matchmaker has been working relentlessly to tie up the deal, as well as agreeing a switch from Sky Sports to DAZN in the summer.
And he believes everything has now been confirmed with a late July or early August undisputed showdown in Saudi Arabia to be announced soon.
The Matchroom boss said: “We have exchanged some more final drafts and there will be a few more phone calls but it is as done as it can be.
“It is non-stop at the moment but it is happening, it is 100 per cent happening.”
The financial split on a two-fight deal was agreed last June, with the first clash going 50-50 down the middle and the winner taking 60-40 of the rematch.
However the pandemic and travel and crowd restrictions that have crippled the sport for a year have made finding a venue almost impossible.
The WBC Gypsy King and dad John had fans worried for the showdown after a series of self-imposed deadlines passed.
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But AJ Boxing, Hearn and Fury’s team have now both signed their sides of the contract only the minute details remain to be decided.
AJ roared last week: “I would wait until the end of the year if I had to.
“It’s the fight we both want, it’s the fight the world wants, the promoters and the TV networks, so putting a time limit isn’t right.
“If people are clearly working on something and they need a little extra time, you want the job done right then you sit tight for a little bit.
“As long as things are getting done I will wait til next Tuesday or the Tuesday after.
“I know I want it and so does he, maybe he just got his words mixed up.
“With every week that passes I am a week better, a week stronger and a week wiser and a week closer to the day when I kick Tyson Fury’s ass.
“I don’t know what Fury is doing and I don’t give a s*** either, all I know is what I am doing and I am coming.”
One stumbling block for Watford’s WBA, IBF and WBO king remains trainer and mentor Rob McCracken.
AJ rates the Team GB mastermind as the Sir Alex Ferguson of his empire but he is scheduled to be in Tokyo for the Olympics this summer.
And Hearn has confirmed there is going to be a tough call to make over who is in Joshua’s corner for the biggest fight in British boxing history as the date is non-negotiable.
He said: “I know AJ and Rob have been talking accordingly so I am sure they will work it out.
“The guys know it will be around the Olympics, it could be inappropriate but it is the biggest fight in boxing and the biggest moment in AJ’s career so we have to work it out.
“I know Rob takes his Team GB position very seriously, he loves the job and the kids so it’s not ideal but we can’t move it a couple of weeks either side.
“Someone is spending a lot of money so we have to go whenever they say.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
