Anthony Joshua’s prospective world heavyweight title clash with Tyson Fury is unlikely to take place in Britain, promoter Eddie Hearn has conceded.
Saudi Arabia, which staged Joshua’s rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr. in December, has already emerged as favourite to stage the contest, for which representatives of both parties have agreed an outline deal.
Hearn admitted that while he would love the bout to be staged in Britain, financial practicalities make it much more likely that it will take place in the Middle East or China.
Speaking on Matchroom’s Youtube channel, Hearn said: “If we can do the fight in the UK, fantastic, (but) we know Saudi Arabia would love to have this fight – we had a wonderful experience last time with the Andy Ruiz fight.
“We’ve had offers from China, we’ve had offers from around the world. This is the biggest fight in boxing – it doesn’t get any bigger. There’s not going to be any country that stages major events that won’t want this fight.”
Hearn appeared to write off the prospect of a repeat of Joshua’s Wembley Stadium clash with Wladimir Klitschko in 2017, insisting: “Everyone will talk about this fight taking place in the UK.. (but) it doesn’t work like that.
“We have to go back to report the offers to these people’s teams. It’s a dangerous sport so let them make their money.
“It’s a two-fight deal so one will take place in an alternative venue to the other fight. If we can do the fight in the UK, fantastic.”
However, before the lucrative showdown can be sealed for 2021, Fury is set to have to come through two bouts with a mandated rematch against Deontay Wilder followed by a defence against WBC top contender Dillian Whyte.
Hearn, who is Whyte’s promoter, confirmed that he has written to the WBC to clarify that Whyte must fight for Fury’s title before the end of February.
Hearn added: “We will be pushing that mandatory. We know that the biggest fight in boxing is the undisputed heavyweight title and of course people want to see that fight, but this isn’t a case of saying to Dillian, ‘sorry mate, you’ve got to wait’.
In a social media interview of his own, Fury insisted he is not looking beyond his third meeting with Wilder, despite having hammered the American to a seven-round defeat in February.
Fury believes Wilder remains dangerous, and has the potential to scupper the best-laid plans for a Joshua super-fight unless the champion is fully committed completing the trilogy in style.
Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, Fury said: “There’s all this talk of me fighting Anthony Joshua but I’m a realist in this life and messing with the most vicious puncher in the history of boxing, I’m not going to overlook anybody.
“@BronzeBomber is the second best heavyweight in the world. I believe he knocks Anthony Joshua out.”@Tyson_Fury tells @sahnidev he believes Wilder is still the most dangerous fight out there ⚠️ Watch in full 🎥 https://t.co/Tw99afdpZD pic.twitter.com/T5sopD2a1V — Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) June 11, 2020
“Deontay Wilder is the most dangerous fight out there, even today. When a fighter gets beat he can come back 10 times stronger and have a lot more to prove, or they can fold.
“I believe Deontay Wilder will come back stronger and with a better game plan and he will try harder and do things differently, and that makes things more dangerous.
“If I don’t focus 110 per cent there won’t be any other fights. Deontay Wilder is the second best heavyweight in the world – I believe he knocks Anthony Joshua out and everybody else behind me.”
