Saudi Arabia is set to host the world heavyweight title unification bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in August, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
The fight, expected to be one of the most lucrative in boxing history, has been mooted to be taking place the Kingdom for some time, although the rival boxers' camps have been reluctant to confirm its location. The price to host the fight has been reported to cost anywhere between $150 and $200 million.
However, speaking to Sky Sports on Tuesday, Hearn, who promotes Joshua, said: “August the 7th, August the 14th. I think it’s a very bad secret that the fight is happening in Saudi Arabia. It’s the same people we did the deal with for Andy Ruiz - that event was spectacular. As partners they were fantastic as well.
"We’re very comfortable. Anthony’s comfortable; he knows those people. They delivered on every one of their promises last time. We’re ready to go.”
Joshua, 31, defeated Ruiz Jr in Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh in their rematch in December 2019 – his initial loss remains his only defeat in 25 professional bouts – to reclaim the IBF, WBA and WBO belts. Meanwhile, the undefeated Fury (30 wins, one draw) is the reigning WBC champion.
The British boxers, who earlier this year agreed to a two-fight deal, have been involved in a heated exchange on social media this past week as tensions increased surrounding finalising a summer bout.
"I saw the tweets from AJ [Joshua],” Hearn said. “He's tired, the fans are tired, and everyone is tired. We're in a stage where people are getting frustrated.
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Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury 2
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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.
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"The deal is done. Now we're on the finer details of the contract, which came back last Friday. It went back last night. They are on calls now in the office about it, and I think at some point people are going to have to take a little bit of a leap of faith in this deal.
"From our perspective and AJ's perspective, we're ready to go. From Tyson Fury's perspective, they've got a couple of lawyers across it from their point.
"There's no reason why it shouldn't happen this week. This is kind of like the moment where you could actually turn around at this point and say, 'This is dragging on too long, or I can't be dealing with this anymore.'
"But we have to nail this, and I'm not going to stop until I nail it, and everyone has just got to move forward collectively. We're ready to go from our side; we're not far away from their side and it is inevitable. But at the same time, we've got to close the door on it."
