Nigerian-born world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua has finally reached an agreement to fight fellow-British boxer, Tyson Fury in two blockbuster bouts that are billed to hold next year in the United Kingdom, but megasportsarena.com gathered that there are still many hurdles they have to cross before the date becomes a reality.
Frenetic efforts had been on for a long while to get the two British heavyweight world belt holders into the ring for a potentially explosive unification fight and Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn has now confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Fury on a two-fight deal.
However, both fighters still have already fixed bouts scheduled ahead of them, with another title contender from Britain also standing in waiting somewhere along the line, while issues of venue and purse-sharing are also still remaining contentious between both Brits.
Details of the development, according to Daily Mail, revealed that the agreement will see both British pugilists step out in an even split for the first fight and then take up a 10% jump for the winner of that bout going into the rematch later in the same year.
The report added: “It is believed that the agreement revealed by Eddie Hearn on Wednesday is comprised of a 50-50 arrangement for the first showdown and the second will be 60-40 in favour of the victor of the original.
“Hearn, Fury and Fury’s co-promoter, Frank Warren have confirmed that progress has been made in talks over the double-header, particularly around the framework of the financials. However, there is still a substantial amount of work to be done in making the fight, not least because Fury and Joshua must first come through clashes with Deontay Wilder and Kubrat Pulev.
“There is also the political tangle of Dillian Whyte’s status as mandatory challenger for Fury’s WBC title to unpick and unresolved discussions about the venue and date. Saudi Arabia is a frontrunner to host at least one of the fights.”
Hearn told Sky Sports News: “We’re making great progress. There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates. We have the Dillian Whyte mandatory which is due before this fight. It’s fair to say [we] are in agreement regarding the financial terms of the fight.
“We’ve been talking to [Fury’s 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. A lot to overcome in the meantime. We’re moving in the right direction. I’m confident that both guys have giving their blessing for the fight to go ahead.”
