Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn says boxing bosses in Saudi are ‘deadly serious’ about heavyweight tournament
EDDIE HEARN said the boxing bosses in Saudi Arabia are “dead serious” about hosting a series of tournament-style heavyweight bouts.
Hearn is embroiled in negotiations for Anthony Joshua, 33, to face Deontay Wilder, 37, in December in the Middle East.
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And the organizers sensationally want it to take place on the same evening as the fight between Tyson Fury (34) and Oleksandr Usyk (36).
Hearn told perseverance for sale: “The situation is that Saudi Arabia wants to play Fury against Usyk and AJ against Wilder on the same night.”
“I went out there two weeks ago, they are absolutely serious, I’ve had two big fights with them already, I know they deliver.”
“As far as I know, they conducted their own negotiations with Deontay Wilder, which went very well.
“They’ve been talking to Usyk for a year because he boxed AJ there and they know the rough numbers we want based on what we got for the Andy Ruiz and Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia.”
“Fury is a whole different story, but not my thing. But I’m all about closing the deal for AJ vs Wilder because if they can’t get Usyk and Fury across the finish line, they will still play AJ vs Wilder.”
“It’s what they want. They want this big quartet. AJ has already told me, ‘No problem’.”
“They’ve achieved the numbers we want for the fight that aren’t unreasonable and aren’t overly disproportionate compared to what he received last time there, we’re in.”
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Fury and Usyk saw the heavyweight division’s inaugural four-belt unification fall due to a dispute over the split for a potential rematch.
Usyk has now been committed by the WBA to a mandatory title defense against 25-year-old Daniel Dubois, talks are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Fury is struggling to find an opponent for his planned summer rematch.
But the WBC champion hasn’t lost hope of finally taking on Usyk and insists it will happen before the end of the year.
Fury said in a press conference: “There’s a lot going on in Saudi Arabia, huge sums of money are being talked about.”
“I just think that has taken over, the temptation to invest £75m or £100m later rather than now.”
“These prizefighters fight for a few pounds, they fight anyone, so I don’t think anyone in a boxing match is afraid of anyone.”
“The fight has to happen, it has to happen this year. I just think it’s a simple, straightforward job.”
“I’ll hit him, he’ll fall on the ground, then I’ll go out and get drunk downtown.”
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