Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua: Eddie Hearn expects announcement in weeks

Promoter Eddie Hearn expects Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to make their fight official in the next few weeks.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

It appears a title-unification fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua this spring or early summer is on the cusp of becoming official.

Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, has revealed that his fighter and fellow titleholder Fury could be putting pen to paper as early as the first half of February.

That would allow the focus to shift to other important aspects of their eagerly-anticipated showdown, such as the exact date and venue.

“I hope that we can finalize contracts in the next two weeks,” Hearn told iFL TV. “And then the plan from there is to go out and start discussing with the various sites that have approached to stage this fight.

“What we wanna do is make sure we’ve got a deal papered to move forwards and start having these conversations, and then lock in the venue and the date. There isn’t a lot to be sorted. We’re in a good place.

“I believe we’ll have these contracts finalized in the next couple of weeks. I believe this fight will take place in June.”

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This process is likely to mean that there will be two official announcements from Hearn and Fury’s promoters, Bob Arum and Frank Warren.

One will be that the contracts are signed. The other will be to announce the official date and location, once that part has also been finalized.

The promoters wanted to have the Brits fight on home soil but it will be staged overseas because of COVID-19 restrictions.

“We wanna make sure we have the deal in place,” Hearn said. “And that will be the route map for this fight, to hopefully make an announcement in the next couple of weeks to say, ‘This fight is signed and done.’

“Let’s make one thing clear: This is the biggest fight in the history of British boxing. This may be the biggest heavyweight fight of all time. This is the undisputed heavyweight world championship.

“Once we’ve done that, we’ll say, ‘The fight is on, start getting very, very excited and now we’ll be going out and finalizing the venue.’ Because what we don’t want to do is [not answer] all these questions that keep coming.

“I wanna give you the news, I wanna tell you that this fight’s on and now we’re gonna be giving you a date. It’ll be, ‘It’s planned for June, and we’ll be giving you the site and the [specific] date in the very near future.’

“That’s the news I hope to be able to give you in the next couple of weeks.”

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua: Eddie Hearn expects announcement in weeks

Promoter Eddie Hearn expects Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to make their fight official in the next few weeks.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

It appears a title-unification fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua this spring or early summer is on the cusp of becoming official.

Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, has revealed that his fighter and fellow titleholder Fury could be putting pen to paper as early as the first half of February.

That would allow the focus to shift to other important aspects of their eagerly-anticipated showdown, such as the exact date and venue.

“I hope that we can finalize contracts in the next two weeks,” Hearn told iFL TV. “And then the plan from there is to go out and start discussing with the various sites that have approached to stage this fight.

“What we wanna do is make sure we’ve got a deal papered to move forwards and start having these conversations, and then lock in the venue and the date. There isn’t a lot to be sorted. We’re in a good place.

“I believe we’ll have these contracts finalized in the next couple of weeks. I believe this fight will take place in June.”

[lawrence-related id=17320,17239,17195,17140]

This process is likely to mean that there will be two official announcements from Hearn and Fury’s promoters, Bob Arum and Frank Warren.

One will be that the contracts are signed. The other will be to announce the official date and location, once that part has also been finalized.

The promoters wanted to have the Brits fight on home soil but it will be staged overseas because of COVID-19 restrictions.

“We wanna make sure we have the deal in place,” Hearn said. “And that will be the route map for this fight, to hopefully make an announcement in the next couple of weeks to say, ‘This fight is signed and done.’

“Let’s make one thing clear: This is the biggest fight in the history of British boxing. This may be the biggest heavyweight fight of all time. This is the undisputed heavyweight world championship.

“Once we’ve done that, we’ll say, ‘The fight is on, start getting very, very excited and now we’ll be going out and finalizing the venue.’ Because what we don’t want to do is [not answer] all these questions that keep coming.

“I wanna give you the news, I wanna tell you that this fight’s on and now we’re gonna be giving you a date. It’ll be, ‘It’s planned for June, and we’ll be giving you the site and the [specific] date in the very near future.’

“That’s the news I hope to be able to give you in the next couple of weeks.”

Video: Ak, Barak: Is Jake Paul wise to fight Ben Askren?

Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, will face retired MMA fighter Ben Askren on April 17. Askren is the first experienced Paul (2-0) will have faced in his young career as a pugilist. Will Askren be too much for him? Or is Paul advanced enough on …

Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, will face retired MMA fighter Ben Askren on April 17.

Askren is the first experienced Paul (2-0) will have faced in his young career as a pugilist. Will Askren be too much for him? Or is Paul advanced enough on the learning curve to compete with his latest opponent?

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show. DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss Paul decision to take on Askren and what they expect to happen in the ring.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer XPebwx6O]

Video: Ak, Barak: Is Jake Paul wise to fight Ben Askren?

Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, will face retired MMA fighter Ben Askren on April 17. Askren is the first experienced Paul (2-0) will have faced in his young career as a pugilist. Will Askren be too much for him? Or is Paul advanced enough on …

Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, will face retired MMA fighter Ben Askren on April 17.

Askren is the first experienced Paul (2-0) will have faced in his young career as a pugilist. Will Askren be too much for him? Or is Paul advanced enough on the learning curve to compete with his latest opponent?

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show. DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss Paul decision to take on Askren and what they expect to happen in the ring.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer XPebwx6O]

Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk

Promoter Eddie Hearn said the planned fights between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn insists that Oleksandr Usyk will not get in the way of Anthony Joshua’s planned fights with Tyson Fury.

Usyk is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO belt and the sanctioning body has been clear that it will not allow Joshua to delay a fight with Usyk unless the Ukranian fighter gives his blessing.

Usyk has indicated that he won’t step aside, but Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, remains hopeful that negotiations will produce a solution that is acceptable to everyone.

Hearn spoke to BoxingSocial.com to explain just how hard a bargain Usyk’s team is driving.

[lawrence-related id=17030,17015,16978,16962,16535]

“I think it’s a situation where … this isn’t really a dig at any of his team but some people just have the idea that he should be getting millions of dollars to step aside for this fight,” Hearn said.

“Really what will happen is, we will apply to the WBO for the undisputed fight and if they say, ‘No, you need to talk to Oleksandr Usyk,’ we will go to Oleksandr Usyk and we will try to make him happy to allow that fight to go on.

“It’s like: Do you really want to stop this fight from happening? Now you have to be respected because you’re in the mandatory position, but there is a solution.

“As I’ve said before, this fight between Fury and A.J. will happen with all the belts or not one belt at all. But the problem is, when there’s a big fight like this, everyone wants … I’ve got to get my words right here … the greed is unbelievable.”

Hearn suggested that should it come to it, Joshua would be willing to vacate his belt if no deal can be reached.

“It’s going to come down to the fighters,” he said. “The fighters are paying millions of dollars in sanction fees. I heard someone say Usyk wants a percentage of A.J. and Fury’s purse to step aside and I was like, ‘Mate!’

“But there is a solution, and if everyone’s smart together, we can find a solution. And I really want it to be undisputed, because that’s always been the dream for A.J. and we’ll do everything we can.

“But we’re not going to be held to ransom by anyone. And if we lose one belt, we’ll probably vacate them all and say, ‘This is boxing now.’ But if everyone is sensible, and we’ll be fair in return, hopefully we can find a solution.”

Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk

Promoter Eddie Hearn said the planned fights between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn insists that Oleksandr Usyk will not get in the way of Anthony Joshua’s planned fights with Tyson Fury.

Usyk is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO belt and the sanctioning body has been clear that it will not allow Joshua to delay a fight with Usyk unless the Ukranian fighter gives his blessing.

Usyk has indicated that he won’t step aside, but Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, remains hopeful that negotiations will produce a solution that is acceptable to everyone.

Hearn spoke to BoxingSocial.com to explain just how hard a bargain Usyk’s team is driving.

[lawrence-related id=17030,17015,16978,16962,16535]

“I think it’s a situation where … this isn’t really a dig at any of his team but some people just have the idea that he should be getting millions of dollars to step aside for this fight,” Hearn said.

“Really what will happen is, we will apply to the WBO for the undisputed fight and if they say, ‘No, you need to talk to Oleksandr Usyk,’ we will go to Oleksandr Usyk and we will try to make him happy to allow that fight to go on.

“It’s like: Do you really want to stop this fight from happening? Now you have to be respected because you’re in the mandatory position, but there is a solution.

“As I’ve said before, this fight between Fury and A.J. will happen with all the belts or not one belt at all. But the problem is, when there’s a big fight like this, everyone wants … I’ve got to get my words right here … the greed is unbelievable.”

Hearn suggested that should it come to it, Joshua would be willing to vacate his belt if no deal can be reached.

“It’s going to come down to the fighters,” he said. “The fighters are paying millions of dollars in sanction fees. I heard someone say Usyk wants a percentage of A.J. and Fury’s purse to step aside and I was like, ‘Mate!’

“But there is a solution, and if everyone’s smart together, we can find a solution. And I really want it to be undisputed, because that’s always been the dream for A.J. and we’ll do everything we can.

“But we’re not going to be held to ransom by anyone. And if we lose one belt, we’ll probably vacate them all and say, ‘This is boxing now.’ But if everyone is sensible, and we’ll be fair in return, hopefully we can find a solution.”

Tyson Fury mocks Anthony Joshua’s response to question on TV

Tyson Fury mocked Anthony Joshua’s response when he was asked whether he wants to face Fury next.

Tyson Fury isn’t certain that Anthony Joshua wants to fight him.

Joshua was asked after he knocked out Kubrat Pulev on Saturday in London whether he wants to face Fury in a heavyweight title-unification bout next and, for some reason, he didn’t provide a direct answer.

“Well, there you go, everyone,” Fury said on a video posted on Instagram and Twitter. “Anthony Joshua just s— his self live on television. He got asked did he want the fight, and he went around the bushes and put his ass in the edge.

“I want the fight! I want the fight next! I’ll knock him out inside three rounds! He’s a big bum dosser. Can’t wait to knock him out.”

Joshua repeated a new mantra – “less talk, more action” – but that doesn’t explain why he didn’t express enthusiasm about a showdown with his countryman.

“You ask the crowd what they want to see. I’m up for anything. Look at the resume,” Joshua told the Sky Sports interviewer, referring to the estimated 1,000 spectators.

“OK, who wants to see Anthony Joshua fight Tyson Fury in 2021?” the interviewer asked the fans, whose wild cheers made their preference clear.

“Look, when I started in this game in 2013, I’ve been chasing all the belts, dealing with mandatories,” Joshua said. “Of course, I want a challenge. It’s not about the opponent. It’s about legacy and the belt. Whoever has the belt, I want to compete with them.

“If that’s Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury. The road to the undisputed is almost clear right now.”

[lawrence-related id=16305]

Promoter Eddie Hearn, standing beside Joshua during the interview, also served up the mantra but was more direct in his sentiments.

“Since he [first] came into the office he wanted to be undisputed champion,” Hearn said. “We’re going to be friendly, we’re going to be nice. We know what we have to do. Starting tomorrow we make the Tyson Fury fight straight away. It’s the only fight to be made in boxing, it’s the biggest fight in boxing, it’s the biggest fight in British boxing history.

“I know [Joshua] wants it. He’s the best heavyweight in the world, I promise you. He’ll break him down, knock him out. … We know what we have to do. It’s about legacy. Let’s get it done.”

Meanwhile, Bob Arum, Fury’s co-promoter, indicated that talks are either underway or about to begin.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix tweeted: “Arum says he has spoken to @EddieHearn multiple times this week about closing a deal. Arum says both sides have agreed to the ‘mechanics’ of a 50-50 deal.”

Arum tweeted: “It looks like the stage is set for the biggest Heavyweight championship fight since Ali-Frazier in 1971, when @Tyson_Fury meets @anthonyfjoshua for the undisputed crown. We at Top Rank will start Monday working to put that fight together.”

Tyson Fury mocks Anthony Joshua’s response to question on TV

Tyson Fury mocked Anthony Joshua’s response when he was asked whether he wants to face Fury next.

Tyson Fury isn’t certain that Anthony Joshua wants to fight him.

Joshua was asked after he knocked out Kubrat Pulev on Saturday in London whether he wants to face Fury in a heavyweight title-unification bout next and, for some reason, he didn’t provide a direct answer.

“Well, there you go, everyone,” Fury said on a video posted on Instagram and Twitter. “Anthony Joshua just s— his self live on television. He got asked did he want the fight, and he went around the bushes and put his ass in the edge.

“I want the fight! I want the fight next! I’ll knock him out inside three rounds! He’s a big bum dosser. Can’t wait to knock him out.”

Joshua repeated a new mantra – “less talk, more action” – but that doesn’t explain why he didn’t express enthusiasm about a showdown with his countryman.

“You ask the crowd what they want to see. I’m up for anything. Look at the resume,” Joshua told the Sky Sports interviewer, referring to the estimated 1,000 spectators.

“OK, who wants to see Anthony Joshua fight Tyson Fury in 2021?” the interviewer asked the fans, whose wild cheers made their preference clear.

“Look, when I started in this game in 2013, I’ve been chasing all the belts, dealing with mandatories,” Joshua said. “Of course, I want a challenge. It’s not about the opponent. It’s about legacy and the belt. Whoever has the belt, I want to compete with them.

“If that’s Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury. The road to the undisputed is almost clear right now.”

[lawrence-related id=16305]

Promoter Eddie Hearn, standing beside Joshua during the interview, also served up the mantra but was more direct in his sentiments.

“Since he [first] came into the office he wanted to be undisputed champion,” Hearn said. “We’re going to be friendly, we’re going to be nice. We know what we have to do. Starting tomorrow we make the Tyson Fury fight straight away. It’s the only fight to be made in boxing, it’s the biggest fight in boxing, it’s the biggest fight in British boxing history.

“I know [Joshua] wants it. He’s the best heavyweight in the world, I promise you. He’ll break him down, knock him out. … We know what we have to do. It’s about legacy. Let’s get it done.”

Meanwhile, Bob Arum, Fury’s co-promoter, indicated that talks are either underway or about to begin.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix tweeted: “Arum says he has spoken to @EddieHearn multiple times this week about closing a deal. Arum says both sides have agreed to the ‘mechanics’ of a 50-50 deal.”

Arum tweeted: “It looks like the stage is set for the biggest Heavyweight championship fight since Ali-Frazier in 1971, when @Tyson_Fury meets @anthonyfjoshua for the undisputed crown. We at Top Rank will start Monday working to put that fight together.”

Video: Ak, Barak: Eddie Hearn says AJ plans to fight Fury, not Usyk

Rumors have it that heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua plans to fight Oleksandr Usyk, not Tyson Fury, in his next fight if Joshua beats Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night in London. Not so, says promoter Eddie Hearn, who handles Joshua. In this …

Rumors have it that heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua plans to fight Oleksandr Usyk, not Tyson Fury, in his next fight if Joshua beats Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night in London.

Not so, says promoter Eddie Hearn, who handles Joshua.

In this episode of the Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discussed that topic with Hearn, who said Joshua’s intention is to face Fury in a title-unification fight, not Usyk in defense of his WBO title.

Here’s what Hearn had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer KsGTkRwE]