ANTHONY JOSHUA expects to have a contract to fight Tyson Fury “in the next couple of days” – paving the way for the Battle of Britain.
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn held talks with Frank Warren’s son George last week, where a “take it or leave it” deal was offered.
And after orders from Joshua, Hearn confirmed they were willing to accept the terms, which included conceding a financial split of 60/40.
Speaking on his Matchroom Boxing’s channel, he said: “On Friday I met with George Warren and we had an offer for the fight.
“We weren’t happy with all the terms and we tried to negotiate those terms but we were told there was no negotiation, it was take it or leave it and we took it.
“We accepted the offer in writing on Friday.
“I spoke to George Warren again this morning and we expect to receive a contract in the next few days and hopefully we can move forward with the fight.
“There is no reason not to, the key terms are agreed; there is a broadcast situation to sort out which at the moment is extremely positive. At the moment we’re in a good place.”
The fight will come as an unexpected immediate world title shot for Joshua, 32, who is coming off the back of two losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk, 35, was then expected to face Fury, 34, in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout.
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But the Ukrainian has ruled himself out until next year having returned to his war-torn home and family for the first time.
So Fury, coming out of the retirement he announced in April, surprisingly turned to AJ in a bid to fight before the end of the year.
Hearn had wanted to get Joshua back in the ring in December in a confidence-building bout.
But the opportunity to challenge for Fury’s WBC belt all while settling their long-standing feud has proved too good to turn down.
Hearn said: “He felt this was his opportunity to get the fight with Tyson Fury.
“I think Mr Fury has a great deal but this wasn’t about the money for us.
“We weren’t allowed to negotiate; in all deals you negotiate but we were told unequivocally, ‘No movement, take it or leave it’.
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“We were treated like the B-side going into the fight and it came down to AJ wanting the fight.
“I always have my doubts about Tyson Fury but everything I hear from George Warren I believe and they are saying all the right things.
“They are saying 100 per cent they want the fight and if they do, they’ll get it.”
The grudge fight is set for December 3 at Cardiff’s 75,000-seat Principality Stadium.
Fury is tied down to an exclusive deal with BT Sports while Joshua’s brand new deal with DAZN starts with his next fight.
But the sports streaming service has recently launched a pay-per-view platform, making a rare duel box office deal possible.
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Hearn said: “Those conversations are already rolling and I don’t see why an amicable solution can’t be found.
“The broadcasters could stop this fight but I don’t think they want to. It’s in everybody’s interest for this fight to happen.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
