Eddie Hearn has seemingly accepted Tyson Fury’s offer to fight Anthony Joshua, but has revealed a potential stumbling block to the all-British super-fight.
The Matchroom head honcho stated on Wednesday that the purse split between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua was agreed — and that the only issue now was the date.
Joshua was thrown a lifeline earlier this week by WBC champion Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) in the form of a voluntary challenge for the green and gold belt at a purse split of 60-40 in favour of the champion.
That was all well and good, and as details emerged the fight began to look promising for December 17 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. But that’s just too easy, isn’t it? Marcos Villegas of Fight Hub TV revealed the latest update on negotiations via Twitter.
The purse split was accepted by Hearn on Joshua’s behalf as he looks to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk, however a date of November 12 was offered – and that doesn’t work for ‘AJ’.
Just finished speaking to Eddie Hearn. Confirmed that he did receive terms from Fury/Warren for #FuryJoshua fight – 60/40 split for Dec 17th at Millennium stadium with a rematch clause. Eddie told me "We accept" but noted Fury/Warren offered Nov 12th as the date for the fight
— FIGHT HUB MARCOS (@heyitsmarcosv) September 7, 2022
Fury had planned to take on Usyk, the WBA Super, IBF, IBO and WBO heavyweight champion who also has the Ring Magazine belt, before the end of the year, but the Ukrainian wanted a longer recovery period from last month’s Saudi Arabia rematch against Joshua, who Hearn said would not be ready until December 17.
They sent for Nov 12 60/40 split. Eddie responded with accepting 60/40 on AJ behalf but said AJ couldn’t be ready until Dec 17th. Said Warren had Dec 17th already saved/held
— FIGHT HUB MARCOS (@heyitsmarcosv) September 7, 2022
Hearn, who has promoted Joshua since he turned professional back in October 2013 following Olympic success in London a year earlier, said that what could now how up the deal was that Warren, of Queensbury Promotions, may already have December 17 pencilled in for a different fight.
Details regarding the solution and a potential advancement in the deal for a mouthwatering clash that everyone wants to see will, we hope, follow in due course.