Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has revealed that Sergey Kovalev and his team are open to the idea of travelling to face mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde in the U.K. – but insisted that would only happen if it made financial sense to do so.
Speaking in an interview with BoxingScene, Arum – who works alongside Main Events’ Kathy Duva in working with two-time light heavyweight champion Kovalev – confirmed that talks were ongoing with regards to striking a deal that would see the fight end up on primetime in the States or, alternatively, in the U.K. should a larger offer be presented.
“I’ll talk with Frank [Warren], and wherever the most money is, that’s where we’re gonna do it.” said Arum.
“In other words, we have a big budget to do it on prime time in the United States – which would be early in the morning in England.
“Now, if they come up with a lot more money to do it in England, and we do it in the afternoon here in the United States, I’m sure Kathy and Kovalev and everybody will be very happy. This is not gonna be a contentious kind of thing.”
Despite Yarde’s trainer and manager Tunde Ajayi insisting the bout must take place in Yarde’s homeland, Arum would simply state that the contest would be held wherever the bout made the most financial sense.
Ajayi, who has raised eyebrows in recent weeks with his outlandish claims that the fight could end up at London’s Emirates Stadium, has drawn criticism from sections of the boxing fraternity repeatedly insisted that Yarde, 27, is the A-side in negotiations; and thus Kovalev must travel for the fight.
However, Arum would go on to reveal that 35-year-old ‘Krusher’ would have no problem in travelling – as long as it meant a greater purse.
“This will be figuring out where the fighters can make the most money, irrespective of where it is. Kovalev couldn’t care less if it’s in the United States or in the UK. It depends on his purse. With Kathy, it’s the same thing. So, we’re all gonna sit down and figure out where the biggest pot is.
“ESPN is not gonna pay the same amount for the fight if it’s on in the afternoon [in the United States], as opposed to if it was on in the evening, in prime time. So, we’ve gotta figure that out.”
Arum would conclude the interview by stating that bout would likely take place either at the end of June or in July, though the 87-year-old admitted that ESPN were yet to undergo programming for that time of the year.
“It could be at the end of June.” Arum speculated.
“July, as far as I know, is open. We haven’t started programming for July. It could be the end of June. Through the middle of June, we’re booked up.”