By Gabriel Princewill-
Anthony Joshua And Tyson Fury’s teams are waiting for contractual papers from Saudi Arabia to stage the undisputed heavyweight clash between the two brits this summer, according to reports.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that both sides had agreed on a site offer for the most intriguing British heavyweight unification fight in decades. The entirety of the deal to stage the fight there is yet to be officially confirmed in signature.
Promoter Eddie Hearn told reporters he and Fury had spent time together, and that both sides are happy to fight in Saudi Arabia.
‘We just had five or 10 minutes together and it was good, because I don’t represent Tyson Fury, so I don’t know what is in his mind. What he basically cemented in my mind was, this is the only fight he wants, and I know that’s the same with AJ.
Anthony Joshua last fought in December when he defended his belts against Kubrat Pulev, while
Tyson Fury has been out of the ring since his stunning win over Deontay Wilder in February 2020. It would mean Fury would have been out of the ring for about 18 months by the time the fight comes round, while Joshua would have been out for half the time.
The fight will be the biggest test for both men, and a global attraction of epic proportion. It is expected to generate over £200m for both parties.
Thrilling as the event is poised to be, it will also shine the spotlight on the murder of the late Saudi dissident, Jamal Khashoggi, after his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, begged the British heavyweight pair to shun the oil rich country as a potential venue for the fight.
Her legal team are currently pursuing a lawsuit against Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, following the finding by the CIA that Prince Salman that he ‘approved’ the kidnap, drugging, torture, and assassination of Khashoggi in 2018. Prince Salman has always insisted on his innocence.
Cengiz urged the organisers of the event not to give the Saudi Prince this reward for his crimes. ”We should instead stand together for justice and humanity,” she pleaded.
However, the allure of lofty financial purses often eclipses other considerations in a business where cash is king, and all else is automatically secondary.
The organisers expect a fight of this magnitude to generate plenty of money, and are not optimistic of the chances of UK stadiums being open to large enough crowds in these times of social distancing laws.
The controversy surrounding the killing of Khashoggi, juxtaposed with the enormity of the fight, will heighten attention to both events. Boxing organisers would prefer not to get caught up in the political or legal wranglings associated with the Khashoggi murder, to avoid any detrimental effect to the lucrative and historical show ahead. Critics will be in full swing once Saudi Arabia confirms the fight, but it will still be the destination for fans round the world.
Fury has always said Joshua is made for him, and lacks enough confidence in himself to face a man of the gypsy man’s stature. Joshua has described his rival as a ”warm up act”, but in reality, both world beaters have it all to prove when they eventually meet this summer.