Showpiece fight belongs at home

AT a time when we have never been more starved for sports news, the revelation that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua looks on in a two-fight deal was a bolt out the blue.

This is huge news at any time, but right now it felt like a much-needed tonic to fans desperate to look forward to some big events.

Boxing is a tough sport from top to bottom, and at this level the money involved is mind-blowing.

The promoters and managers who have survived a long time in the sport have been able to do so while people are constantly trying to move in on their business whether it be with broadcasters, venues and, of course, fighters. Their reputation is built on being able to deliver.

And the boxers compete in a sport where one punch could end things for them.

The risk of losing is never far away as Andy Ruiz Jr proved.

No formal contracts have been signed and no detailed terms have been agreed.

Those terms won’t just be about money, they will involve lots of important details around how the fights are set up, not least where the fights are staged.

And there are also some big fights before either boxer can get there.

Fury (top) has his trilogy of fights with American Deontay Wilder to complete.

He dominated the second clash but the third will still be a massive challenge.

And the Gypsy King is supposed to fight Dillian Whyte in a mandatory showdown but has expressed no desire at all to make that happen.

Joshua still has to fight Kubrat Pulev, who you would expect him to beat, but the Bulgarian is experienced and tough. Again, not a pushover.

In theory, the fighters could meet in 2021 with neither holding a world title.

I don’t doubt the confidence of either Fury or Joshua

(left) that they will be holding belts by the time that does happen.

But for them to have agreed terms in principle with all of this still to come must mean that they believe the commercial worth of the fights is big enough regardless.

That being the case, there is no question in my mind that the fights have to be held in the United Kingdom.

That commercial worth would be pinned down by the fact that it would be Britain’s biggest ever boxing match, so it needs to be in one of its biggest stadiums.

To now read that it is highly unlikely that these fights will happen in UK is really disappointing.

Sports fans got a much-needed boost from this fight announcement but please don’t dilute it by taking it overseas. This fight belongs here.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU lit up the tee box in the Charles Schwab Challenge with drives averaging 345 yards in round one. His performance led to further support for Jack Nicklaus’ proposal to introduce a tournament ball for professionals that would only go 80-85 percent as far. I like the idea. The shorter, classic courses could still be played while retaining the advantage that players with a better technique or greater athleticism deserve.

SAM QUEK is an ambassador for footie5, a weekly free-to-play football game where you can win £25,000 by predicting the scores of five matches from across the English & Scottish leagues.