The long-awaited heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has finally taken a major step towards reality, with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirming that the contracts for the historic fight have been signed.
Hearn dismissed doubts surrounding the bout after Fury appeared to cast uncertainty over whether the all-British clash would happen, insisting that neither fighter can simply walk away from the agreement.
“We’ve signed the contract, we’re waiting for a date,” Hearn told DAZN.
The promoter added that the deal was now legally binding and neither Fury nor Joshua could withdraw from the fight at will.
“The fight’s signed. No-one can pull out of the fight. You can’t just pull out of a contract.”
The biggest remaining issue is the location of the heavyweight blockbuster. The fight was initially expected to take place in the United Kingdom in November, but Saudi organisers Sela are pushing for the event to be staged in the United States.
Joshua and Fury both have separate agreements with Sela, with New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden reportedly among the venues being considered.
The bout is also expected to be streamed globally on Netflix, adding another layer of commercial appeal to what is already regarded as one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
However, Hearn revealed that Joshua’s camp still prefers a UK venue but would consider America if the right conditions are reached.
“We know everybody and his dog involved in the fight wants to do the fight in America. We don’t,” Hearn said.
He added that discussions with organisers are ongoing but stressed there is no threat to the fight itself.
“If you want to do it in America, these are the terms that we can move forward with. But we’d rather not please.”
Fury and Joshua, two of Britain’s biggest boxing stars, have been linked with a meeting for years, with fans waiting for a showdown between the former world champions.