Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye believes it will take an astronomical amount of money to finalise the projected Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua undisputed world title fight and isn’t sure it can happen this summer.
WBC heavyweight king Fury and WBA Super, WBO and IBF title holder Joshua provisionally agreed to engage in a two-fight 2021 series last June, but subsequent talks have proven complicated and arduous.
The mega-bout appears to be inching closer to fruition with venues now being discussed after a self-imposed 28-day deadline to agree a deal elapsed at the weekend. Yet, logistically, Haye feels it is a difficult fight to make this summer in view of the Covid-19 affected landscape in which boxing is restricted in terms of live gate and flexibility.
“I’ll be surprised if it happens before November,” Haye told Sky Sports. “If it does happen before November, fantastic.
“Knowing boxing like I do, whatever offer they receive it’s going to need to be ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous to get it over the line and, if it does get over the line, God bless both of them.
“They deserve every penny they earn, because they’ve both put it on the line. They’ve both sacrificed, they’ve both become heavyweight world champion in their own right.
“They’ve both taken their licks. Fury got off the canvas against Wilder, AJ got over his loss against Andy Ruiz Jr and came back with a victory, so they both deserve the richest prize in the sport.
“They both deserve to be in this big mega event. May the best man win when it finally does happen.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted the fight is nearly there though Fury appears impatient to make the deal after a ring absence of 14 months.