Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury: Middle East venues 'ready to stage this fight', reveals Eddie Hearn

Promoter says offers have been made by locations in the Middle East to host the unification heavyweight bout in indoor arenas

Anthony Joshua lands a big right on Andy Ruiz Jr during the British fighter's comprehensive victory in the heavyweight world title rematch in Saudi Arabia in December 2019. Getty

Anthony Joshua celebrates victory over Andy Ruiz Jr. Getty

British boxer Anthony Joshua (white trunks) competes with Mexican-American Andy Ruiz Jr in Diriya. AFP

Joshua lands a right in his fight with Andy Ruiz Jr. AFP

Defending champion Andy Ruiz Jr trades blows with Anthony Joshua. AP

Joshua outclassed Andy Ruiz Jr for a unanimous points victory. AFP

Defending champion Andy Ruiz Jr takes a punch during his fight against Britain's Anthony Joshua. AP

Andy Ruiz Jr after losing on points to Britain's Anthony Joshua. PA

Andy Ruiz Jr trades blows with Anthony Joshua. PA

Andy Ruiz Jr tries to land a left Against Anthony Joshua. PA

Anthony Joshua poses with the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO world heavyweight title belts. Getty

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that he has received offers from the Middle East to host the unification heavyweight world title fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury this summer in indoor venues.

A two-fight contract has been agreed by both world champions, with the aim of hosting the first fight in the summer and the second towards the end of the year.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has complicated plans to stage the fights in large, packed-out stadiums for what would be two of the biggest events in boxing history. However, unspecified locations in the Middle East have made serious offers to host the first fight this summer, using purpose-built indoor arenas.

Hearn, who represents WBA, WBO, and IBF champion Joshua, said he would present the various location options – which includes Wembley Stadium in London on July 24 – to both fighters.

"Nothing is ideal," Hearn told Sky Sports. "If it was ideal, we'd just be in Wembley with 100,000, but I don't know whether Tyson Fury would accept that offer. We may see on Sunday.

"But if it's 20,000 or 15,000 in an arena, all the Middle East offers have been based on an indoor arena.

"We know it's hot there in July, of course, so there is no option to go outside. It has to be in an indoor arena and those arenas are already in place, ready to stage this fight."

Hearn has already staged a major Joshua fight in the region when the British star regained his titles in a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr at the 'Clash On The Dunes' in Saudi Arabia in December 2019. And Hearn has admitted that Saudi are "absolutely keen" to stage Joshua's fight with Fury.

"We had a great experience there back in December 2019, with Anthony Joshua against Andy Ruiz, so they are players that we know are for real," he said.

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"We've been through the process with them. They gave us their word on what they would deliver and they did that. It was a fantastic event.

"Most people would prefer it to be a little bit later, but that's not what's on the table. We want two fights this year and the first one will be in the summer."

There are concerns that the deal could ultimately fall through as negotiations continue and a fight location remains unconfirmed. Fury, the WBC title holder, tweeted this week that time was running out to conclude the deal, posting a picture on Twitter saying "3 days left ... the clock is ticking". Meanwhile John Fury, Tyson's father, has criticised the progress of the negotiations.

Hearn has responded by insisting Joshua and his team are happy with the current terms of the contract and questioned whether Fury is as committed.

"[End of this week], that's the date we're working to, but of course, if we're drafting contracts by that stage with a site, would Tyson kindly give us another 24? I don't know," Hearn said. "That's up to their side, but that's the deadline that we're working to, to present all the options to the fighters.

"I can't make Tyson Fury get in the ring and take this fight, John Fury agreed to this fight, but this is going to be, by far and away, the biggest financial fight for both guys by a country mile.

"From our side, we're really comfortable. You don't see AJ out there tweeting, 'Oh three days to go, the clock is ticking!'

"Don't you want this fight? No, you see AJ saying, 'I'm working, I'm training for this fight.'"