EDDIE HEARN is warming to the idea of Wembley hosting Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury — if Saudi Arabia go cold on the summer showdown.
AJ’s Matchroom promoter insists the first leg of the signed two-fight rivalry must happen in June or July this year.
But the 100°F heatwave that hits the Middle East at that time is turning the kingdom off the idea of coughing up the huge site fee for the world heavyweight clash.
Hearn will spend the week flying around the world canvassing offers from the Gulf, Asia and America and has just three weeks to confirm the venue and date.
And he admitted there could be a chance for the biggest fight in British boxing history to happen at the home of English football.
Hearn said: “I am not joking when I talk about Wembley.
“If we got a huge site fee from abroad for a December rematch and they could give us full capacity at Wembley this summer, then we could present it to the fighters.
“But we can only consider Wembley with 100 per cent capacity.”
It seems far-fetched that such a huge event could take place so soon after all Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, which is hoped will happen by June 21.
But 41-year-old Hearn has talked to the Government about it and crunched the numbers.
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AJ and the Gypsy King would suffer a huge financial hit fighting on home soil but the romance might make up for some of the lost lucre.
Hearn added: “They’d love to do it at Wembley but they don’t want to take half the money, or a 30-40 per cent cut.
“There are conversations going on with the Government to see if it’s an option. If it is, it will be presented to the fighters.”
Saudi Arabia’s three-hour time difference would mean UK fans could catch the bout on primetime TV, driving the pay-per-view sales well over the 2million mark.
Hearn said: “June and July are in play but the Saudis and the Middle East would prefer it later in the year because it is so hot.
“But the fight is taking place in the summer.”
