The all-British heavyweight blockbuster fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury won’t happen once, but twice, according to Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn.
In an interview with Sky Sports on Wednesday, Hearn said that in principle, the two sides have reached a deal for two fights in 2021.
“It’s fair to say [Joshua and Fury] are in agreement regarding the financial terms of the fight,” Hearn said. “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.”
Fury, the reigning WBC and lineal heavyweight champion, defeated Deontay Wilder in February. Wilder exercised his contractual right to an immediate third fight — which was planned for July until the coronavirus pandemic caused postponements and cancellations across the boxing world. That fight seems likely to happen late this year, according to Top Rank’s Bob Arum.
Joshua, the WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion, defeated Andy Ruiz to regain his three belts after a shocking loss in June 2019. Joshua also had his mandatory bout with Kubrat Pulev, scheduled for June 20, postponed because of the pandemic.
If both fighters retain their titles, it would set the stage for a unified heavyweight champion for the first time in over 20 years.
Hearn said that the first bout in their two-fight series could take place next summer and that there are no signed contracts at this time. ESPN previously reported that talks between the two sides were underway, with a potential location being Saudi Arabia or elsewhere on the Arabian Peninsula.