THE showdown between reigning WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua and the World Boxing Council (WBC) champion, Tyson Fury, has been verbally agreed for 2021, according to Eddie Hearn, reports
www.talksport.com.
Speaking after Callum Smith’s loss to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in Texas, Hearn revealed that contracts are being drawn up for the huge heavyweight showdown with only a few minor details to sort out.
Mike Coppinger of The Athletic acquired the quotes from Hearn and it seems as though the venue and things like who walks out last on the night are still on the table.
“Eddie Hearn says Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua is verbally agreed to and contracts are being drafted for the heavyweight championship fight in May/June. Hearn says only “minor issues to resolve” such as who walks last, the site, etc. This fight is going to happen next,” Coppinger tweeted.
If one of the most points of debate is who walks out last, that’s good news for boxing fans hoping to see this fight. This should be easy to come to terms.
Coppinger went on to suggest that the fight is likely heading to the Middle East, although the UK is ‘still in play.’
It’s hard to see the UK as an option when the south-east of England – including London – just entered tier four in a bid to handle a new fast-spreading strain of the Coronavirus.
Meanwhile at Smith and Alvarez, 15,000 fans were in attendance for the fight.
Oleksandr Usyk has already expressed an interest in stepping aside as WBO mandatory so AJ and Fury can make the fight and it seems as though he would do so on the premise that he would face the winner.
All the belts are an attractive proposition for everyone, but we’re yet to hear what Deontay Wilder thinks of the developments as he did have a contractually obligated third fight with Fury for the WBC title.