Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury: Eddie Hearn says deal is done and Middle East 'front-runner' to host

Undisputed world heavyweight title fight will pit two British rivals against each other

Anthony Joshua lands a punch on Kubrat Pulev during the British fighter's victory at Wembley Arena in December 2020.

Anthony Joshua celebrates winning his fight against Bulgarian fighter Kubrat Pulev.

nthony Joshua celebrates winning his fight. Reuters

Anthony Joshua celebrates his victory.

Pulev feels the power of Joshua's punch.

Anthony Joshua, left, throws a punch at challenger Pulev.

Joshua celebrates after beating challenger Kubrat Pulev at Wembley Arena.

Joshua goes on the attack.

Joshua looks across as challenger Pulev takes a standing count.

Anthony Joshua in action against Kubrat Pulev.

Eddie Hearn has said a deal for the undisputed world heavyweight championship fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is all but done, with a location in the Middle East a front-runner to host.

Joshua beat Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev last month to retain his IBF, WBO and WBA titles to set up the prospect of a mouth-watering clash with fellow Briton Fury who holds the WBC belt.

"The deal is done, really - without being signed," Hearn was quoted as saying by The Times. "The financial elements of the deal are done. We're talking through the broadcast situation, the only thing really now is to paper it.

"And when you paper a deal like that, it does go back and forwards 15 times before every single letter is approved on the document."

Fury has not fought since beating American Deontay Wilder in their Las Vegas rematch in February to claim the WBC crown.

Hearn said Joshua and Fury would face off in two fights – with the first likely to be in the Middle East later this year – and he hoped to bring the rematch back to Britain.

"The Middle East will be aggressive and will be front-runners in this. To stage this fight, you need significant government support. You need someone who is staging this fight as a statement for their country," Hearn said.

"I'd like it (the rematch) to be (in the UK). Where? Millennium Stadium."

Joshua has already fought in the Middle East having avenged his shock loss to Andy Ruiz with victory in Saudi Arabia in December 2019.

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