_(1).jpg)
Fury says heayweight title showdown against Joshua in Saudi Arabia on August 14
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 16.05.21. | 23:30
All British rumble has been rumoured for a while now but an official announcement by one of the fighters explodes throughout all sports media
Tyson Fury said Sunday his long-awaited world heavyweight title unification bout against Anthony Joshua would take place in Saudi Arabia on August 14.
Between them, the two British boxers hold all four major versions of the heavyweight title.
Saudi Arabia staged the 31-year-old Joshua's rematch against Andy Ruiz, when the Briton regained his WBA, IBF and WBO titles in December 2019, putting him on a collision course with Fury, who became the WBC champion shortly afterwards.
"All eyes of the world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Fury stated.
"I cannot wait, I 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."
“massive announcement” FURY VS JOSHUA IS ON AUGUST 14 in The kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The worlds biggest sporting event all eyes on us. @SCEEKSA @gsaksa_en @trboxing @mtkglobal @frankwarren_tv @marbella @wowhydrate #LETTHEGAMESBEGIN #saudiarabia #TYSONOFARABIA pic.twitter.com/ZKIAXLictV
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) May 16, 2021
What is widely expected to be the richest fight in British boxing history started to loom into view when Fury stopped Deontay Wilder to win the WBC title in February last year after Joshua had avenged the only loss of his professional career by defeating Ruiz.
Joshua retained his three belts in December with a ninth-round knockout of mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.
Meanwhile a third fight between Fury and Wilder has failed to take place, meaning the 'lineal champion' has been inactive in more than 12 months since stopping Wilder in Las Vegas.
Fury's co-promoter Bob Arum recently said a fight in July or August was "dead in the water".
ANTHONY JOSHUA VS TYSON FURY LE 14 AOÛT EN ARABIE SAOUDITE ! N'hésitez pas à glisser vos pronos sous le tweet ou en citation ! pic.twitter.com/717Nb7g5UG
— A.J (@TeamJoshuaFR) May 15, 2021
But earlier this week, Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, said the two camps were close to securing a date as well as a venue.
"August 7, August 14," Hearn told Sky Sports when asked about a date for Joshua-Fury.
"It's a very bad secret that the fight is happening in Saudi Arabia. I don't mind giving that information, Bob Arum's already done it."
"It's the same people we did the deal with for Andy Ruiz, that event was spectacular. As partners, they were fantastic as well, so we're very comfortable." Hearn added.
"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."
After Frank Warren revealed Tyson Fury will not sign the contract until the money is guaranteed by a bank, Anthony Joshua has taken to his social media posting this video and this tweet. #JoshuaFury #TysonFury #AnthonyJoshu #boxing pic.twitter.com/4Ox2QH6KbG
— Inside Fighting (@inside_fighting) May 11, 2021
Hearn indicated then that August 14 was the more likely date so as to avoid a clash with the Olympics, which are scheduled to finish six days earlier provided the coronavirus pandemic does not force a change or even scupper the already delayed Tokyo Games completely.
Joshua warned on Twitter on Monday he was "tired" of waiting around for Fury and demanded "less talk, more action" from his rival.
© Agence France-Presse
