Eddie Hearn has said a deal for the undisputed world heavyweight championship fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is all but done, with a location in the Middle East a front-runner to host.
Joshua beat Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev last month to retain his IBF, WBO and WBA titles to set up the prospect of a mouth-watering clash with fellow Briton Fury who holds the WBC belt.
"The deal is done, really - without being signed," Hearn was quoted as saying by The Times. "The financial elements of the deal are done. We're talking through the broadcast situation, the only thing really now is to paper it.
"And when you paper a deal like that, it does go back and forwards 15 times before every single letter is approved on the document."
Fury has not fought since beating American Deontay Wilder in their Las Vegas rematch in February to claim the WBC crown.
Hearn said Joshua and Fury would face off in two fights – with the first likely to be in the Middle East later this year – and he hoped to bring the rematch back to Britain.
"The Middle East will be aggressive and will be front-runners in this. To stage this fight, you need significant government support. You need someone who is staging this fight as a statement for their country," Hearn said.
"I'd like it (the rematch) to be (in the UK). Where? Millennium Stadium."
Joshua has already fought in the Middle East having avenged his shock loss to Andy Ruiz with victory in Saudi Arabia in December 2019.
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Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder 2 - in pictures
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Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder during their rematch in Las Vegas in February 2020. -
Tyson Fury celebrates defeating Deontay Wilder to win the WBC World Heavyweight Championship at the Garden Arena in Las Vegas. -
Tyson Fury celebrates with the belts after winning the fight. -
Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder in the fifth round. -
Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder. -
Tyson Fury celebrates after knocking down Deontay Wilder. -
Tyson Fury watches Deontay Wilder hit the canvas. -
Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder. -
Tyson Fury in action against Deontay Wilder. -
Tyson Fury at the end of the first round. -
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder in the first round. -
Deontay Wilder enters the ring. -
Tyson Fury arrives in the arena. -
Tyson Fury makes his entrance. -
Former Heavyweight Champions Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield. -
Former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis in the ring. -
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson before the fight. -
NFL player Patrick Mahomes attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
Boxing Hall of Fame member Mike Tyson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
Former NFL player Chad Ochocinco Johnson. -
Boxing Hall of Fame member Thomas Hearns attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
NBA Hall of Fame member Magic Johnson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -
Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and head coach John Gruden.
