The handlers of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are discussing the possibility of a blockbuster showdown this coming December in Saudi Arabia. The fight could happen – but perhaps sometime next year.
That’s because of two other well-known big men, Deontay Wilder and Kubrat Pulev, both of whom have signed contracts in their possession that say they are next in line to fight the heavyweight titleholders.
And aren’t willing to step aside so Fury-Joshua can be made, at least not yet. Wilder, who was stopped by Fury in February, exercised a clause in their contract that allowed for another fight but it could not be finalized because of the coronavirus threat. Joshua vs. Pulev was set for June 20 but later postponed.
Shelly Finkel, Wilder’s advisor, told ESPN: “As far as we’re concerned, the next fight [for Wilder] is the third fight [with Fury].”
Ivaylo Gotzev, Pulev’s co-promoter, told BoxingScene.com: “That clause was covered very well. There’s no way out, even though Joshua keeps looking for new ways to avoid us. We have exercised our right to fight for the title we’ve been waiting for years.
“We understand that a fight with Fury and Joshua is big for the United Kingdom. The last we checked, we do not all live under a newly established British Empire. Let’s just all do the right thing and move forward with the fights we have in writing.
“After Anthony Joshua loses to Kubrat, he can go fight whoever he wants.”
Of course, as Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn said, “Everything is solvable with money.”
ESPN reported that the management firm MTK Global – negotiating for Fury – is awaiting an offer from promoters in Saudi Arabia, where Joshua-Andy Ruiz II took place and authorities are keen to host more big boxing events.
If the offer is big enough to satisfy the demands of Fury and Joshua, as well as pay Wilder and Pulev enough to step aside, then it’s possible the all-England heavyweight showdown could take place before the end of the year.
If not, or if either Wilder or Pulev refuse all offers, then it seems likely that Fury-Joshua would have to wait.
Meanwhile, Hearn acknowledged that foreign entities have expressed interest in hosting Fury-Joshua but said negotiations are, in fact, not underway because of the aforementioned contractual obligations.
“Everything is solvable with money,” Hearn said on Sky Sports’ “The Boxing Show.” “But the major hurdle is we’re both under contract for other fights. Could a deal be struck for them to step aside? Absolutely. Would we be willing to entertain it? Absolutely.
“But right now the focus is on the contracts we have signed with a move for the winners fighting the winners probably in spring ’21.”
He went on: “We’ve had a number of approaches from territories inquiring and making offers to stage that fight. Ourselves and MTK have been in discussions to look at those offers and discuss when this fight might take place.
“We would love to bring A.J. against Fury to the U.K. Right now, especially in December, that doesn’t look like a possibility. While I’d love to say, ‘We’re in negotiations and it’s close,’ what we’re doing is we’re talking and we’re all moving in the right direction.
“We’ve all got the same mindset which is: Create the biggest fight in boxing history between two British world champions fighting for the undisputed world heavyweight championship.
“You will get this fight. It’s just a case of when and where.”