Promoter Eddie Hearn yesterday shot down Tyson Fury’s comments that
the contract for the heavyweight mega-fight for the undisputed world
crown with fellow British fighter Anthony Joshua is “nowhere near
being finalised” with the insistence that his team are “on the verge
of giving everyone some great news”.
Fury had played down suggestions a fight announcement could be
imminent by saying in an interview with IFL TV on Thursday: “When it
finally does happen, I’m sure we will all get to see it. But I’m not
going to hold my breath for it, that’s for sure.”
Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion, added: “I’m not putting all my
eggs in one basket because I have been guilty of doing that before.
And then these fights don’t happen. And then I end up in a massive
depression and feel like killing myself. So I’m not going to say this
fight is definitely happening in May, June, August, whatever. If it
happens, great. If it doesn’t, I can’t do anything about it.”
Hearn responded last night, however, by confirming that “we are on the
verge of giving everyone some great news” and that announcement is
“just days away”. Hearn added that the next part of the process is
securing the venue and the site deal and that “it is progressing
well.”
Hearn, in Dallas for a Matchroom USA card tonight, explained: “Bob
Arum [Fury’s promoter in the USA] has said the contract is agreed and
that is correct. It goes around now for everyone’s signature so we are
nearly there. We want to make the fight in June or early July because
we want to do two this year.”
The promoter also revealed that “America has opened up as an option,
we are in talks with Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys about having
70,000 for Canelo- [Billy Joe] Saunders” and that Saudi Arabia has
emerged as the front runner to host the first fight between Fury and
Joshua, who holds the WBO, WBA and IBF belts.
“Saudi just did Fortula E and the golf, they are not slowing down the
development of sport. They 100 per cent want to hold the fight but
they are only one of six or seven who we have whittled it down to, who
want to hold the fight and will continue talks with. Saudi is a
definite possibility but there are a number of other conversations we
have to have as well. We all have to agree to where it happens and
what the deal is.”
Hearn added that Fury ought to be sharing the optimism. “He’s not
going to find a bigger fight in boxing, he’s never going to make this
kind of money again and ultimately it’s up to him as an individual.
For AJ, of course we have to maximise his revenue but AJ just wants to
knock Tyson Fury out. He just wants to be undisputed [heavyweight
champion]. He’s so driven and what I saw last night – in the minute I
watched – I didn’t feel the energy from Tyson Fury. Maybe he’s a
little bit deflated, maybe things haven’t happened for him over the
last year. But forget about that. Let’s focus on what we’ve all agreed
to which is the biggest fight in boxing. Are you up for the challenge?
I want to see that cheekiness back from Tyson Fury.
Heard added: “I want Fury to get his mojo back and start concentrating
on what is a life-changing moment for our sport – the undisputed
heavyweight championship of the world between two Brits.”