TYSON FURY’S undisputed heavyweight title fight with Anthony Joshua looks set to be held at 9pm UK time.
The eagerly-anticipated Battle of Britain – which has been years in the making – is set to take place in Saudi Arabia on August 14.
Given the magnitude of the fight, there were fears the contest would be aired at a time catered for the North American market.
But according to Bad Left Hook, Joshua vs Fury will get underway between 11pm and midnight Saudi time – meaning the fight will start between 9pm and 10pm in the UK.
The news will be music to the ears of British boxing fans, who have had to endure the pain of the pair’s first meeting not taking place on these shores.
A venue for the multi-million-pound showdown has not yet been built, although promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed the Saudis plan to erect a stadium similar to the one created for Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.
In a hint at the start time, Joshua’s promoter told Sky Sports: “They want to build a new stadium. They have indoors options.
“In August at 11pm it will be about 23 degrees.
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“They want to create something very, very special. Last time they built a stadium for the Andy Ruiz Jr fight in just seven weeks and it held 18,000.
“This will be a similar set-up.
“They have the opportunity to hold it indoors but they want to create something that will shock the world. They want to build a stadium just for this fight.”
Fury’ co-promoter Bob Arum was sceptical about the fight taking place late last month and declared it ‘dead in the water’.
But the 89-year-old is now ‘optimistic’ the fight will happen, telling Bad Left Hook: “These deals are very, very complex.
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“Especially when it’s a lot of money like this — it’s very, very complex.
“Everybody has been trying to get this done, and we have a couple of issues — nothing between the fighters — to deal with. They’re not unusual issues, but they have to be resolved.
“We sent (deal principals in Saudi Arabia) a memo, on behalf of the promotion, and they said it’s the holiday, the end of Ramadan, and nobody is in the office.
“They need the minister of sports’ approval, and they told us we should expect an answer Saturday or Sunday.
“Friday is a holiday. So hopefully they accede to what we’ve asked for, and I’m optimistic they will.
“Then, we can do a proper announcement of the deal, not Frank (Warren, Fury’s other co-promoter) and Eddie (Hearn, promoter for Joshua) spouting off. I’m very optimistic.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
