Hearn confirms Joshua-Fury is on for August in Saudi Arabia
THE blockbuster fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion will take place in Saudi Arabia in early August.
A bout between two British boxers who hold all four major world titles in the division has been on the cusp of being finalised for a number of weeks, but there has still been no official announcement from either party.
Saudi Arabia staged Joshua’s rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr, when he regained his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles in December 2019, putting him on a collision course with Fury, who became WBC champion a couple of months later.
‘August 7, August 14,’ said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said when asked about a date for Joshua-Fury.
‘It’s a very bad secret the fight is in Saudi Arabia. I don’t mind giving that information, Bob Arum’s (Fury’s co-promoter) has 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, so we’re very comfortable. They delivered on every one of their promises last time, we’re ready to go.’ Hearn said August 14 is preferable, to avoid a clash with the Olympics, which finish six days earlier.
‘It would make sense to go on the 14th,’ Hearn added. ‘That’s one of the other things to tick off.’
The news sparked renewed claims Saudi Arabia is trying to ‘sportswash’ its human rights record.
Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: ‘Saudi Arabia is once again set to use a major sporting event as a means to sportswash its atrocious human rights record.’