Read more from Author Melissa Galbraith here: https://globelivemedia.com/author/melissa-galbraith/
Which Anthony Joshua (24-1, 22 KO) and Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KO) will meet in 2021 is taken for granted. The harmony between the two teams is clear, but in boxing until contracts are signed, nothing can be taken for granted. For that reason this week can be key so that we can enjoy two fights, that would initially pick up the agreement between the two heavyweight champions (the winner would unify the category).
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s manager, has acknowledged that the verbal agreement is practically closed and Bob Arum, Fury’s manager along with Frank Warren, has given deadlines. “Eddie and the Joshua people will have the first draft of the contract for us on Tuesday. Then I’ll send it to Frank, Tyson, and the lawyers. We will speak to Eddie again later with our comments. I think it will be a formality because we are all professionals and we want this to happen“He stated in an interview on Talk Sports. The longtime boxing businessman also stated that once they agree on everything, they will focus on choosing “the place of the fight” (Nio will be in England and everything indicates that it will take place in the Middle East due to public restrictions in the United Kingdom and the United States).
The idea that both teams maintain is to hold the first fight in May or June, so that the rematch could take place in 2021. The only point that can torpedo the initial plan is Olek Usyk. The Ukrainian is the official WBO contender and wants his chance. Hearn has repeated multiple times that if they have to vacate that belt, they will., since “people prefer the fight above all”. There would be no total unification, but it would matter little to the fans. Therefore, it will be necessary to see how that factor goes. Since another of the rumors indicates that Usyk could face Joe Joyce for the interim belt and after the two fights between the English, the winner would have to necessarily face the winner of the Interim WBO belt. It will be a stumbling block because both fighters would like to be undisputed, but the important thing is that this week will be key to knowing the place and date of the first duel between the two heavyweight kings.