Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could potentially meet in a massive heavyweight fight in 2021.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports Boxing that the financial structure of a two-fight series between the two is in place, but noted that there are plenty of things to go over before any official announcement is made.
Both sides are currently hoping that the first fight is staged in the summer of 2021, but no venue or location has been determined yet. The fight would potentially pit Joshua, the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, against Fury, the WBC champion, where the winner could become the first heavyweight to hold all four belts at the same time.
"We're making great progress. There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates. It's fair to say [Joshua and Fury] are in agreement regarding the financial terms of the fight. 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," Hearn said.
In addition, not much was addressed regarding the immediate future of both champions as the two previously had fights in place prior to the coronavirus pandemic calling off those fights. Fury was set to have a third fight against Deontay Wilder at some point in 2020. But even discounting the fight against Wilder, Fury still has to deal with mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte, who is supposed to be due for a title fight in 2021.
Joshua was supposed to face IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev this summer in London, but that fight has been postponed. Hearn is currently exploring other options in regards to staging the title bout. There's also WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk to deal with, as he has been the mandatory challenger for the WBO title since 2019.
Yet, even with the financial terms of the fight, which would crown an undisputed heavyweight champion, seemingly set, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
"[There's] a lot to overcome in the meantime. We're moving in the right direction. I'm confident that both guys have given their blessing for the fight to go ahead. 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," Hearn said.
Fury went to social media to confirm that there is at least some type of agreement in place for 2021, but that he would have to go through Wilder once more.
“I just got off the phone with Daniel Kinahan and he just informed me that the biggest boxing fight in British boxing history has just been agreed. Two-fight deal. Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua next year. One problem: I got to smash Deontay Wilder’s face right in first and then we’ll go into the Joshua fight next year. The Gypsy King vs. AJ is set for next year,” Fury said.
Fightful will keep you updated on the details of the fight.
