EDDIE HEARN all but confirmed Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury will not take place in the UK.
Joshua’s Matchroom promoter blamed the latest coronavirus lockdown for the mega-clash being held abroad.
The eagerly-anticipated heavyweight title unification fight is currently in the works, and both parties are confident a deal will soon be finalised.
British fight fans are desperate for the clash to be held in the UK – with Wembley Stadium the preferred destination.
But Hearn has poured cold water on that idea.
He told the Mail: “Even before this current situation there was no guarantee we would do the first fight in the UK because it was almost impossible we would get clearance to have, say, 90,000 at Wembley in late May.
“Now it is far, far more likely that it will be abroad.
“There have been a lot of conversations between both sides in the past couple of weeks and we’re optimistic that we can tie up stuff in the next fortnight.”
Earlier today, Hearn revealed the blockbuster showdown could be held in a ‘wacky’ location overseas.
He told iFL TV: “There have been meetings taking place on where this fight is going to be held.
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“There’s various countries. I’ve visited a few of them in the last few weeks and days and I think we’re in a good position. There’s some wacky stuff.
“There’s some stuff you’d expect and again, I know everyone wants it in the UK but at the moment they aren’t even allowing boxing so we’ve got a long way to go.”
Although an agreement has yet to be finalised, Hearn believes the biggest fight in the history of British boxing is almost a done deal.
He added: “We’ve been drafting contracts, it’s not signed but the deal has been agreed for a long time, we’ve confirmed that in writing.
“I feel like the fight is virtually there, to be honest with you. We’re in the final stages of everything that’s got to be worked out.”
WBC king Fury continued his mind games with AJ this week by vowing to stop him inside two rounds.
Hearn is loving the pre-fight build-up, saying: “I think it’s hotting up nicely. The mind games are starting.”
