ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury WILL fight – after agreeing terms on a sensational two-fight deal for next year.
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed progress has been made ahead of a potential all-British heavyweight unification bout in 2021, with Fury himself confirming the news.
Hearn has revealed Joshua has agreed to a two-fight deal with Fury
Joshua, 30, is first set to fight Kubrat Pulev, with Fury taking on Deontay Wilder in the third fight of their trilogy.
But, should the pair both win, they will finally go toe-to-toe in the ring to be crowned undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
The first fight will see the purse split 50/50 – with the winner of that fight taking home 60 per cent of the second bout.
Neither fight will be in the UK, with Fury not having a British boxing licence – leaving Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas as the most-likely hosts.
No broadcast deal is yet in place, with DAZN owning AJ’s US fights and ESPN having Fury.
They would have to agree to share coverage of the fights – as would BT Sport and Sky Sports in the UK.
‘IT’S OFFICIAL’
Fury tweeted his joy at the news, saying: “It’s official FURY VS JOSUAR AGREED FOR NEXT YEAR.
“I got to smash @bronzebomber first then I’ll annihilate @anthonyfjoshua”.
Speaking about a potential showdown between Joshua and Fury, 31, Hearn told Sky Sports News: “We’re making great progress.
“There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates.
“We have the Dillian Whyte mandatory which is due before this fight.
“It’s fair to say [Joshua and Fury] are in agreement regarding the financial terms of the fight.”
Hearn continued: “We’ve been talking to [Fury’s management team] MTK, giving them the assurances from Joshua’s side that all the details on the structure of the deal is approved from our side.
“And it is from Fury’s side, as well.
“We’re in a good place. It’s fair to say that, in principle, both guys have agreed to that fight. Two fights.
“There’s lot to overcome in the meantime. We’re moving in the right direction.
“I’m confident that both guys have giving their blessing for the fight to go ahead.”
Hearn added: “The point of Fury, Joshua and the teams agreeing to the structure of the deal? The first fight could happen next summer. It will be 2021.
“There is a big period of time where Whyte should get his shot at the title. That’s important to us.
“The main positive news is that Joshua and Fury have agreed to a two-fight deal, in essence.
“The most difficult part of any deal is the financial element. I believe we’re in a great place where both guys have agreed to what that should be.
“We have not signed contracts because there are still things to be worked out.
“We’re pushing towards a place where they can be drafted, for 2021.
“Both guys are in agreement. The structure of the deal has been put forward, and agreed to by both parties.”
Meanwhile, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren confirmed talks were going ahead, but denied any contracts had been signed.
In a statement on social media, Warren wrote: “We can confirm negotiations have taken place between Eddie Hearn and Tyson’s adviser Daniel Kinahan.
“We are committed to working with all parties to get this fight over the line.
“At this point we can confirm no contracts have been signed between any of the concerned parties, nor have any specifics been agreed regarding venues, dates and numerous other key terms.
“Both sides do accept the any prospective fight will demand a 50/50 split and both sides accept there will be a rematch.
“Things are going in the right direction and we couldn’t be more happy that a potential mega fight is in reach.”
In February, Fury snatched the WBC belt from Wilder after he beat him in their rematch – while Joshua won his December rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr to clinch the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO titles.
Both fighters are set to first defend their crowns, but after that the deal appears to be in place for the monumental all-British showdown.
Joshua has previously been adamant he wants the fights to be in the UK, with Fury hoping for Las Vegas – and Hearn himself saying a Saudi Arabia would stump up £150m for the showdown.
Earlier this week, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, had claimed the Gypsy King had signed a deal to fight – but Joshua had ducked the challenge.
When asked about the possibility of Fury fighting Joshua, Warren said: “Look we’ve got no problem with it.
“We’ve signed an NDA with a country that are hopefully about to make the fight happen.
“I don’t think the other side want it. I’ve got a feeling in my bones that they do not want the fight.”
Tyson Fury confirms Anthony Joshua fight deal is agreed and vows to ‘annihilate’ him after he ‘smashes Wilder’s face in’
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
