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, Eddie Hearn has revealed.
Joshua and Fury are closing in on a deal which would see for the first time ever 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 also promises to finally see British bragging rights put on the line between the nation’s two biggest stars.
As a result, the box office price is expected to be boosted due to the magnitude of the event.
But Hearn ruled out a £15 jump amid claims it could cost fans £40.
He told iFL TV: “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.”
AJ’s promoter Hearn has already drafted paperwork over to Bob Arum, Fury’s backer in America, with minor changes being discussed.
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June is now the targeted date 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.
Tyson Fury, trainer ‘Sugarhill’ Steward, Bob Arum and Frank WarrenCredit: Reuters
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 precedents to follow with rivals promotions proving they can work together, opposed to keeping their talent in-house.
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
