The Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury fight is all but done
Well, well, well, after months of negotiating, haggling and near complete collapse, it appears that the heavyweight prizefight for one undisputed champion is almost done! It seemed like every thirty seconds Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn was promising an announcement “next week.” Yet in true dead-beat dad fashion, the promises kept flowing but no announcement arrived. Even his own fighter WBA Super, WBO and IBF World Heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua (24-1, 22 KO’s) appeared to be growing tired of the situation. Joshua’s would-be opponent, WBC World Heavyweight champion Tyson “Gypsy King” Fury (30-0-1, 21 KO’s), and his Top Rank co-promoter, Bob Arum, were threatening to walk away altogether.
Thankfully, there is finally light at the end of this very long and twisting tunnel! For team Fury, as verified by his other co-promoter, Frank Warren of Queensbury Boxing, their sticking point was financial. Until the guaranteed money was actually guaranteed, there was no way that Fury was signing a contract. Well now, the Gypsy King himself has come forward via his social media to declare the money is no longer an issue and he would be happy to sign on the dotted line.
“Hey there, it’s Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King. Got some massive news for you guys! I’ve just got off the phone from Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia and he told me this fight is 100% home, August 14, 2021 summertime! All the eyes of the world will be on the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and I cannot wait, repeat, cannot wait to smash Anthony Joshua on the biggest stage of all times! This is going to be the biggest sporting event ever to grace the planet Earth, do not miss it. All eyes on us. Peace out, god bless, see you all in Saudi!”
ROUNDING HOME
Provided that everything goes forward without any further complications, Joshua and Fury are set to make a fortune. Their proposed August 14 fight date will have a site fee of $155 million dollars, meaning both pugilists will earn a $75 million pay day apiece! Not a bad chunk of change for a single night in the office. Ultimately the money was guaranteed by Prince Khalid Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi defense secretary. The mega-fight will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Given the money that is being poured into the event, it is expected to be one grand spectacle.
Former WBC champion Deontay Wilder was trying to force a trilogy bout with Fury through the use of third-party arbitration. Yet, given this new turn of events, it appears that this effort was not successful. However, while Wilder may not have gotten the fight that he desired, it is believed he will be given a substantial sum of money to step aside to allow the unification bout to take place. Who or when Wilder is expected to fight next remains a mystery at this point.
Even though this is a very positive development, there still has been no official announcement of the Joshua versus Fury fight. So, it would not be prudent, especially given all the back and forth, to assume that it’s finalization is written in stone. Regardless of the few lingering technicalities 3kingsboxing will be sure to report all the official outcomes.
By: Bakari Simpson
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