Joshua and Fury epic set for August in Saudi Arabia, claims Hearn

The showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion is set to take place on one of the first two Saturdays in August in Saudi Arabia, according to Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

A bout between the two British fighters has been on the cusp of being finalised for weeks but there has been no official announcement from either party.

Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum said this month a fight this summer was “dead in the water”.

Hearn, however, believes they are close to securing a date as well as a venue, with the country seemingly locked in.

Saudi Arabia staged Joshua’s rematch against Andy Ruiz, when the Brit regained his WBA, IBF and WBO titles in December 2019, putting him on a collision course with Fury, who became the WBC champion a couple of months later.

“August 7, August 14,” Hearn said on Sky Sports when asked about a date for Joshua-fury.

“It’s a very bad secret that the fight is happening in Saudi Arabia.

“I don’t mind giving that information, Bob Arum’s already done it.

“It’s the same people we did the deal with for Andy Ruiz, that event was spectacular. As partners, they were fantastic as well, so we’re very comfortable.

“We’re very comfortable. Anthony’s comfortable, he knows those people. We’re ready to go.”

Hearn indicated August 14 could be a more favourable date to avoid a clash with the Olympics, which are scheduled to finish six days earlier.

“In terms of a global spectacle, it would make sense to go on the 14th,” Hearn added. “That’s one of the other things to tick off, hopefully, in the next few days.”

Joshua warned on Twitter on Monday night he was “tired” of waiting around for Fury and demanded “less talk, more action” from his rival and Hearn added: “We have to nail this, and I’m not going to stop until I nail it.”

The choice of Saudi Arabia will again prove controversial with campaigners who accused the Middle East country of trying to “sportswash” its human rights record.

Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: “It comes as no surprise that Saudi Arabia is once again set to use a major sporting event as a means to sportswash its atrocious human rights record.”

IT’S A DATE: The contest between Anthony Joshua, above, and Tyson Fury has been hotly-anticipated by fight fans and now it looks like the head-to-head will take place in August.