Finally, for sure, it is on – Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua is confirmed and will take place in Saudi Arabia on Saturday August 14.
The two British heavyweight world champions will lock horns in the biggest fight in domestic history. The winner will become the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis back in 1999.
Fury (30-0-1) announced the huge news on social media on Sunday evening, bringing to an end months of tense negotiations. The two fighters had agreed in principle the financial structure of a two-fight deal as far back as June 10, 2020.
Fury confirms ‘massive news’
‘The Gypsy King’ said: “Got some massive news for you all guys. I’ve just got off the phone from Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia. He’s told me this fight is 100% on. August 14, 2021, summertime.
“massive announcement” FURY VS JOSHUA IS ON AUGUST 14 in The kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The worlds biggest sporting event all eyes on us. @SCEEKSA @gsaksa_en @trboxing @mtkglobal @frankwarren_tv @marbella @wowhydrate #LETTHEGAMESBEGIN #saudiarabia #TYSONOFARABIA pic.twitter.com/ZKIAXLictV
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) May 16, 2021
“All eyes of the world will be on the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and I cannot wait, repeat cannot wait to smash Anthony Joshua on the biggest stage of all times. This is gonna be the biggest sporting event to grace Planet Earth.
“Do not miss it, all eyes on us. Peace out, God bless, see you all in Saudi. Yes! Get in.”
Saudi Arabia, which hosted Joshua’s rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019, is reportedly putting up a record $150million (£107million) site fee.
Fury vs Joshua a record breaker
The fight is expected to smash domestic pay-per-view records and both men are expected to earn in the region of $100million each. They are then expected to hold an immediate rematch, potentially before the end of 2021.
Of course the dream was to hold Fury vs Joshua in front of 90,000 British fight fans at Wembley Stadium. But the COVID-19 pandemic has made that impossible with crowds still severely restricted.
It was clear from an early stage that the first meeting of the two heavyweight kings would take place outside these shores. And that Saudi, with its incredible financial resources, would be hot favourite.
Sky Sports and BT Sport are both expected to show the bout on pay-per-view in the UK, while it appears likely ESPN will have the rights in the United States. Elsewhere, DAZN is expected to be a major player – its streaming service already exists in more than 200 territories worldwide.
As stated, the Saudi Arabia clash is for all of the heavyweight marbles. Fury is the reigning WBC, Ring magazine and lineal champion while Joshua holds the IBF, WBA and WBO titles.
