Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua is in the final stages of negotiating a contract to face Tyson Fury later this year, following Joshua's initial hesitation to commit when Fury called him out earlier this month.
Warm-up Fight Planned for July
The current plan involves Joshua having a warm-up bout in July. Hearn told iFL TV that an agreement for this preliminary fight and the subsequent showdown against Fury, likely scheduled for November, is nearing completion. Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh is expected to organize the staging of this highly anticipated clash. The July fight will be promoted by Hearn's Matchroom, while the Fury fight may be handled by Saudi company Sela.
UK Venue Hoped for Despite Saudi Funding
Hearn expressed hope that the “biggest fight in the history of our country” between Joshua and Fury could take place in the United Kingdom, despite the Saudi financial backing. Unified champion Oleksandr Usyk was involved in discussions regarding Joshua's comeback fight plan. Meanwhile, Fury, who recently returned to boxing with a win against Arslanbek Makhmudov, is not expected to fight again before facing Joshua.
The negotiations mark a significant step toward a long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown that has captured the imagination of boxing fans worldwide.
