Eddie Hearn has blasted back at “moaning” Bob Arum after the American promoter said he would bet that Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua will not happen.
Arum, who co-promotes Fury along with Frank Warren, claimed he had not heard from Hearn in two weeks and that time was running out. He even mooted that Fury could instead revert to a trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder.
Hearn though has blasted back, saying he is the only party actively trying to get the fight over the line. Fury and Joshua signed contracts for a two-fight deal in March, and now Hearn is trying to finalise a date and a venue. Saudi Arabia in late July or early August is the hot favourite.
Hearn on Arum comments
The Matchroom supremo told talkSPORT: “I’m a bit worried about Bob Arum. I last communicated with Bob Arum on Thursday and Friday of last week and he gave an interview last night to say he hasn’t heard from me for two weeks. Five days ago he was telling everyone, ‘It’s done, it’s in Saudi Arabia, this is the deal, etc.’
“It’s definitely taking a little bit longer than we anticipated, both guys have accepted the deal that’s come in from the Middle East, we’re papering that deal. It’s not as easy as just a 24-hour turnaround of a long-form agreement for a fight of this magnitude.
Hearn was baffled to hear Arum speak of a potential Fury vs Wilder 3, commenting: “I don’t know whether Bob’s on the wind-up, trying to put the pressure on. He’s 90 years old, so you’ve gotta respect him. I messaged him last night with the quote that I saw as if to say, ‘What is this all about?’
“He sort of goes, ‘Well, you know, gotta move quicker.’ I said, ‘No, I’m moving as fast as I can.’”
It’s all down to me – Hearn
Hearn has been on a world tour in recent weeks speaking to potential fight venues, and says he does not see Arum and the Fury camp putting in the same amount of effort.
“But it’s all been left to me basically. The whole thing. Everyone’s just sitting there saying, ‘Eddie’s gotta hurry up, Eddie’s gotta do this.’
“We’re supposed to be co-promoters in this fight. I’m the only one that’s been out traipsing around the world to make sure we get this fight happening. And I promise you this fight will happen, I’ll make sure this fight happens.
“It’s not something that’s turned around in a few days. We’re right across it, we can’t do any more. I’m a one-man army going out to make this fight.
“Like I said, no help from them, all they do is criticise, sitting in his gaff in Beverley Hills, Bob Arum, moaning.
“Get off your backside and do something about it yourself. No, I’ll tell you what, leave it to Eddie.”