10 June 2020

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury financially agree to TWO fights with the first expected to be in 2021, says promoter Hearn

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have reached a ’financial agreement’ to two huge heavyweight dust-ups in what would be the biggest fight in British boxing history.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed there have been a number of positive conversations between both fighters’ teams, with the aim to line up the first clash for 2021.

Anthony Joshua is the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)

Fury is due to take on Wilder in a trilogy bout later this year, while AJ is set to fight mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.

But providing both come through their respective challenges, Hearn is confident a seismic undisputed bout can happen twice between the two Brits.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: "We're making great progress. There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates.

"It's fair to say (Joshua and Fury) are in agreement regarding the financial terms of the fight. We've been talking to (Fury's management team) MTK, giving them the assurances from Joshua's side that all the details on the structure of the deal is approved from our side. And it is from Fury's side, as well.

"We're in a good place. It's fair to say that, in principle, both guys have agreed to that fight. Two fights. (There is) a lot to overcome in the meantime. We're moving in the right direction. I'm confident that both guys have given their blessing for the fight to go ahead.

"The point of Fury, Joshua and the teams agreeing to the structure of the deal? The first fight could happen next summer. It will be 2021. There is a big period of time where (Dillian) Whyte should get his shot at the title. That's important to us.

Fury destroyed Deontay Wilder to reclaim a version of the heavyweight title back in February (SIPA USA/PA Images)

Speaking after the announcement, Fury took to Twitter to thank his management company MTK Global, namely their representative Daniel Kinahan for securing the deal.

He said: "It’s official FURY VS JOSUAR AGREED FOR NEXT YEAR, I got to smash @bronzebomber first then I’ll annihilate @anthonyfjoshua #WEARESPARTANS.

"MASSIVE THANKS TO DANIEL KINNERHAN FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN.???? god bless."

Meanwhile, Whyte, who is also managed by Hearn, is hopeful his mandatory position for Fury’s WBC belt will mean he can get his shot before Joshua-Fury takes place.

And while Hearn is extremely excited about the prospect of an undisputed fight, he is also quick to stress no formal agreement has yet been made with regards to dates and venue.

"We have the Dillian Whyte mandatory which is due before this fight," he added. "There is a big period of time where Whyte should get his shot at the title. That's important to us."

“We have not signed contracts because there are still things to be worked out. We're pushing towards a place where they can be drafted, for 2021."

And while there are still several hurdles to overcome to get the fight over the line, Hearn could barely control his anticipation for one of the biggest sporting events of all time.

He said: "It's the biggest fight ever in British boxing. It doesn't get bigger, and there will never be a bigger fight in our generation.

"Two guys, very different, who fight differently, have experienced different things and have come back from adversity."

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