THE pay-per-view price of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s fight WILL NOT cost £40 but fans can expect an increase on the usual £25, according to Eddie Hearn.
Joshua and Fury have signed a deal which will see them face off for the first time ever, with all four heavyweight belts on the line.
Anthony Joshua is in talks over a two-fight deal with Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
The historic undisputed title decider is set to take place in the summer, the first of a two-fight £200million deal.
The magnitude of the event will boost the box office takings but fans have feared a £40 price to watch the bout.
But Hearn ruled out a £15 jump in price when discussing the prospect earlier this year..
He told iFL TV in February: “I haven’t had any discussions about the PPV price, I certainly don’t think it’ll be £40.
“So, nothing’s been discussed, nothing’s been set. I just started getting some tweets and some DMs going, ‘You’re a disgrace! £40 PPV’.
“I was like, ‘Where’s that come from?’ No discussions.
“If there is an increase in the PPV price – not £40, but I think there will be – then we need to provide a show that’s worthy of that.”
On Monday, news of both fighters signing their contract set fans’ pulses racing.
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June is the targeted date for the showdown but a venue is yet to be agreed.
Amid coronavirus restrictions in the UK, the Battle of Britain looks destined for an away fixture, with the Middle East and Asia both mooted options.
But one of the biggest hurdles to overcome will be the broadcasting schedule, with FOUR channels involved across Britain and the US.
AJ, 31, has an exclusive deal with Sky and DAZN while Fury, 32, fights on BT and ESPN.
HBO and Showtime partnered up in 2002 to allow Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis to meet.
But it was 13 years till there was another duel broadcast, when the same two American networks worked together for Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio to finally fight.
More recently, ESPN and FOX cross-promoted as Fury dethroned Deontay Wilder, 35, of the WBC crown in February 2020.
And it has set a precedent to follow with rival promotions proving they can work together, opposed to keeping their talent in-house.
Tyson Fury, trainer ‘Sugarhill’ Steward, Bob Arum and Frank WarrenCredit: Reuters
But, DAZN is traditionally streaming service with a monthly payment, unlike the one-off PPV price.
It would make sharing rights more difficult, however, the subscription-based platform did launch a box office option for Canelo Alvarez’s last fight.
DAZN linked up with cable TV charging a PPV price of $69.99 for Canelo’s win over Callum Smith, which also included a four months subscription.
If the same can be done for Joshua and Fury alongside ESPN in the US, it overcomes another obstacle.
Eddie Hearn says he discussed Tyson Fury’s recent weight gain with Anthony Joshua
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
