Could the dispute over Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 delay a massive Fury vs Joshua showdown? Eddie Hearn thinks it very well could.
Teams Fury and Wilder have reportedly been in mediation this week as they try to resolve the situation over the planned trilogy fight between the pair.
It had been expected to take place first in July, then in October, then in December. Fury finally “moved on” when December 19 was scuppered due to a very competitive US TV schedule. He is now expected to face undefeated German Agit Kaybael in London on December 5.
Fury’s team are confident their contractual obligation to fight Wilder again is over, while Wilder’s team appear to be doing everything they can to revive the fight.
Hearn: Fury vs Wilder 3 dispute could be an issue
When asked if the issue could affect Fury vs Joshua, Hearn told Sky Sports: “If the legal action rumbles on, because ultimately after that fight with Pulev, we want to be in a position to say ‘This is the fight for the undisputed’.
“Get the sanctioning in place and obviously you’ve got [Oleksandr] Usyk now standing in the wings, saying ‘Once that Pulev fight is over, I want to be called as mandatory’.
“That’s just going to be another issue that we’re going to have to deal with. Hopefully, they can resolve whatever problem – who is right, who is wrong. That’s the job of the arbitrators and the mediators, and good luck to them.”
Hearn focus completely on Joshua path
Hearn meanwhile has complete focus on ensuring that the path to Fury is cleared for Joshua, starting with that title defence against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday December 12 (live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN).
“Hopefully we can just make sure that if Anthony Joshua can beat Kubrat Pulev on December 12, then the path is clear for AJ against Fury in 2021.”
“We try and avoid the mess, and keep discipline and focus on what we’re doing, and the path for AJ has always been clear, with the ups and downs of the Ruiz fight, and getting that rematch over the line.
“But we know what we’re doing. December 12, it was announced probably eight weeks before the fight, we’re focused on the victory.”
Fury and Joshua have of course agreed in principle the financial structure for a two-fight deal. The first is expected to happen in summer 2021, with the rematch late in the year.
The fighters would take a 50-50 revenue split from the first bout. The rematch would see the winner take a 60-40 share.
