2 weeks ago
1 Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have agreed financial terms to square off twice in 2021.
The fight is not a completely done deal yet with multiple hurdles still to overcome, but things are looking promising for the biggest battle British boxing has ever seen.
Joshua is the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion of the worldGetty Images
Fury is the WBC heavyweight champion of the worldGetty Images - Getty
Both men have given their consent to a two-fight agreement.
The financial terms state that the first bout will be a 50/50 purse split, while the rematch will be a 60/40 split in favour of whomever wins the first.
It is unknown where and when the fights are going to happen, though the most likely venue seems the Middle East.
First, AJ must defend his belts against IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev tonight.
Should he lose, the Fury fight collapses. But assuming he is successful, the teams will then be free to move forward with the deal.
Pulev is the first obstacle AJ must overcomeMark Robinson/Matchroom
However, there are still further issues in the way.
Fury must resolve his situation with Deontay Wilder, who remains adamant that he is owed a trilogy fight from the ‘Gypsy King’.
The Brit’s team insist their contract has expired, but the ‘Bronze Bomber’ intends to take the issue to mediation/arbitration.
If this does happen, a retired judge will be assigned as mediator and will make a legally binding ruling on the matter.
Should they decide Fury does owe Wilder a third fight, then the AJ fight is scuppered for the time being.
But if the decision goes in Fury’s favour, then he will be free to face Joshua.
Wilder is fighting for his right to face Fury once moreRyan Hafey/PBC
There is another potential hindrance in the way as well, though this one would not necessarily prevent the fight from happening.
In early 2021, Joshua will be obliged to fight WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk has said he has no intentions of stepping aside and will demand his shot at the title.
This could mean AJ is forced to vacate the WBO belt in order to face Fury, so their fight would no longer be for the ‘undisputed’ status.
There are other possible solutions to this issue within the complicated politics of boxing, but as things stand it remains a problem that needs to be solved.
Usyk is Joshua’s WBO mandatoryDave Thompson/Matchroom
The final elephant in the room is the UK and US TV broadcaster situations.
Fury works with BT Sport in the UK and has a contractual relationship with ESPN in America.
Joshua has a contractual relationship with Sky Sports in the UK and works with DAZN in America.
It is yet to be seen whether compromise agreements can be made between the parties for all four broadcasters to have involvement when the pair meet.
Although the announcement of financial terms being agreed was a significant step towards Joshua vs Fury, there is still a way to go before both men stand across from one another in the ring.
English (United States)