Fury vs Joshua update: Eddie Hearn says deal is close, then location will be decided

The latest on a potential blockbuster undisputed world heavyweight championship fight between Tyson Fury (WBC) and Anthony Joshua (WBA, IBF, WBO) isn’t any big update, but the news from promoters continues to be encouraging.

Eddie Hearn’s latest from Joshua’s side pretty much echoes what Bob Arum and Frank Warren have said from the Fury side, that negotiations continue, there haven’t been any big speed bumps, and that a deal is close.

“We’re back-and-forward. We draft contracts, we’ve sent a draft contract, they’ve sent some minor changes, nothing too big. We’re moving in the right direction,” Hearn said. “I think I’ve lost count the amount of times I’ve said ‘the next two weeks,’ but the next two weeks we hope for an official announcement, then we go out and decide where this thing’s gonna take place.”

Asked if there’s a front runner for location, Hearn didn’t name any one specific place, but says there is interest all over the globe.

“We’ve had massive offers from the Middle East. We’re talking to Qatar, we’re talking to Saudi Arabia, we’re talking to Abu Dhabi, we’re talking to Singapore, we’re talking to China, we’re talking to America, there’s a couple of wild cards in there, as well,” he said.

“But first of all I want to make sure the deal’s in place, so we can go out and talk to these people sensibly and with confidence this fight is happening. And like I said, we’re a couple of weeks away.”