Tyson Fury confirms Anthony Joshua fight set for Saudi Arabia in August: 'Do not miss it'

Bout will be for the undisputed heavyweight world title

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.

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.

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Joshua beats Ruiz at 'Clash on the Dunes'