A LOCATION for Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Tyson Fury has been confirmed.
That is according to promoter Bob Arum, who claimed both fighters will earn almost £73million each.
It is understood that the highly-anticipated fight will take place at prime time in the UK.
Negotiations over the Battle of Britain are understood to have progressed smoothly
Arum, 89, expects the deal to be signed and agreed within the next fortnight.
The veteran promoter told Sky Sports: “I don’t want to make a deadline, but I just can report that everything so far has been going splendidly and we hope to have a signed document within the next couple of weeks.
“That might not provide for a site, because we can have a document that the fighters would have signed and then have a mutual agreement clause of the site.
“We’re all on the same page, as far as I can see.”
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed the fight is not expected to take place in the UK.
Hearn predicted it could take place in Saudi Arabia as they could make twice the money.
He told iFL TV: “The government here don’t invest in bringing mega-events to the UK – they don’t necessarily need to.
“They’ve got a Premier League football game every weekend, selling 50,000-80,000 [tickets].
“But other countries, whether it’s Nigeria, whether it’s Congo, whether it’s China, whether it’s Saudi, whether it’s Qatar, whether it’s Abu Dhab – their government and their tourism department has a huge pot of money [with which] they’re looking to bring major events, entertainment and acts to showcase their country to the world as a tourism destination.
“Someone just messaged me last night saying: ‘For f***’s sake Eddie, [Joshua vs Fury in] Saudi Arabia? Who cares about the money? You’re so greedy, just do it in England.’
“Do you think I go up to the guys and say: ‘Guys, you can make $150million (£115m) each to do it in Saudi or $40m (£30m) in the UK?’
“It doesn’t work like that, have a brain. If it was the difference of $10m each, but it’s not – it’s double to go somewhere else.
“And it can’t be ignored. Especially a fight like that. It’s a one-off.”
More to follow…
