World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has confirmed his unification bout with Anthony Joshua will go ahead in Saudi Arabia on August 14 as months of protracted negotiations look to have reached a successful conclusion.
The all-British mega-bout will see Fury put his WBC belt on the line against WBA, WBO, and IBF holder Joshua, with the winner set to become boxing's first undisputed heavyweight world champion in more than 20 years.
The last undisputed heavyweight king was another British fighter, Lennox Lewis, who defeated Evander Holyfield in 1999 to hold the WBC, WBA, and IBF straps. Since then, the WBO title has been elevated, so all four titles must now be held for a fighter to be undisputed champion.
Fury's announcement came after a conversation he had with Prince Khalid Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's deputy defence minister.
"I just got off the phone with Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia," Fury said in a video posted on Twitter. "He told me this fight is 100 per cent on August 14, 2021.
"All eyes of the world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And I cannot wait, repeat, cannot wait, to smash Anthony Joshua on the biggest stage of all time.
"This is going to be the biggest sporting event ever to grace the planet Earth. Do not miss it."
Negotiations have been ongoing for months as promoters sought out an appropriate location and engaged in terms for their fighters.
Saudi Arabia had long been the frontrunner to host the fight and Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, revealed last month that the bout would be heading to the Kingdom.
Despite Fury's public announcement, an official confirmation from Hearn or Fury's co-promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren has yet to be made as both sides await the final contracts.
"We still haven't gotten the final contracts – we're supposed to get a clean draft on Monday," Arum told ESPN on Sunday. "But Prince Khalid has assured Tyson that there will be no problems, and everybody who has dealt with Prince Khalid and his team know them to be men of their word."
Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) became a two-time heavyweight world champion in February 2020 when he claimed the WBC title with a sensational stoppage win against Deontay Wilder in a rematch following their thrilling draw in December 2018.
Joshua (24-1-0 22 KOs), meanwhile, has already enjoyed success fighting in Saudi Arabia having reclaimed his world titles with a comfortable points win over Andy Ruiz Jr at the "Clash on the Dunes" event in December 2019.
_________________
Joshua beats Ruiz at 'Clash on the Dunes'
-
Anthony Joshua lands a big right on Andy Ruiz Jr during the British fighter's comprehensive victory in the heavyweight world title rematch in Saudi Arabia in December 2019. Getty -
Anthony Joshua celebrates victory over Andy Ruiz Jr. Getty -
British boxer Anthony Joshua (white trunks) competes with Mexican-American Andy Ruiz Jr in Diriya. AFP -
Joshua lands a right in his fight with Andy Ruiz Jr. AFP -
Defending champion Andy Ruiz Jr trades blows with Anthony Joshua. AP -
Joshua outclassed Andy Ruiz Jr for a unanimous points victory. AFP -
Defending champion Andy Ruiz Jr takes a punch during his fight against Britain's Anthony Joshua. AP -
Andy Ruiz Jr after losing on points to Britain's Anthony Joshua. PA -
Andy Ruiz Jr trades blows with Anthony Joshua. PA -
Andy Ruiz Jr tries to land a left Against Anthony Joshua. PA -
Anthony Joshua poses with the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO world heavyweight title belts. Getty
