The upcoming undisputed heavyweight championship clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has become the single biggest topic in the global boxing fandom today.
The fighters nodded to facing each other, their teams have done the negotiations, and the boxing fanbase is more than ready to experience one of the biggest matches in the history of the sport this year.
On one hand, Fury’s WBC title will be on the line, and on the other, Joshua will defend his WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO belts, and the outcome of the fight will determine the true, undisputed ruler of the heavyweight division.
Unfortunately, there has been just one hiccup in the progress of Fury vs Joshua until matchday, that is, a venue as well as a date is yet to be fixed.
Considering both fighters, Anthony Joshua was last seen in action back in December last year in his title defense against Kubrat Pulev, while Tyson Fury’s last boxing appearance dates all the way back to 2020 February when “The Gypsy King” won the WBC belt in the Deontay Wilder rematch.
And on the same notion, Fury has been very absolute about breaking his more than a year long hiatus to boxing, and wants to take a no-nonsense approach. That is, he is ready to take on any fighter up next, be it AJ or not, and even gave Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn a 3-day deadline yesterday to decide on a location.
Hearn wants “a little bit of support” from Tyson and John Fury
As the buildup to the fight progresses, Tyson has also been receiving some vocal backing from his father John Fury. Only last week, John revealed that they are seeing the Joshua fight as “warm-up”, and now spoke to BT Sport that his son will be fighting twice this year and the Joshua fight is not a necessity.
“Tyson is not bothered by any heavyweight on the planet,” said John, “he is past that, being bothered by this man and that man. It is a business to Tyson.”
“We need to move on and get a living properly. Tyson has to sharpen his tools. We need to keep him sharp in case that big night comes knocking. But I don’t think they want it.”
Meanwhile John Fury’s comments have irked Eddie Hearn, as the Matchroom MD lamented to Sky Sports that he feels there is negativity from Fury’s side about making the fight happen.
“We’re in a good place. I saw John Fury’s comments. It’s almost like they don’t want the fight. I’d like them to talk it up rather than talk it down,” said Hearn.
Despite Fury’s 3-day deadline about a venue, Hearn recently stated that the possible location options will be presented to both pugilists at the end of this week, although he himself has been leaning towards Middle-East.
Nonetheless, the promoter reiterates the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to have caused a hindrance to the overall progress about setting up the fight, but wants both Fury and his father to aid in the process.
“We’re quite aware that there has been a global pandemic,” the 41-year-old went on, “we’re quite aware that it’s not easy, but we’re out there grafting away every day to get this done.”
“A little bit of support would be nice, John and Tyson. Thank you very much,” the Briton added.
Asserting that the fight will take place in summer, Hearn is positive to pull off Fury vs Joshua despite some negativity, and also makes it clear that AJ is the one and only opponent Fury will face up next before anyone.
“There’s no other fight for Tyson Fury. There’s no other fight for Anthony Joshua. This is the fight. Everyone accepts that,” Hearn acknowledged. (H/T World Boxing News)
