Staff Reporter.
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have agreed to a world title unification fight, says promoter Bob Arum.
The all-British bout between 32-year-old WBC champion Fury and Joshua, 31 – who holds the IBF, WBO and WBA titles – will see all four belts contested in a heavyweight fight for the first time.
Fury’s promoter Arum told iFL TV that “all the points” have now been agreed.
When asked if the fight was on, the American promoter said: “Yeah, as far as I am concerned.
“That’s what each side has said. Now, we are scrambling around to get the thing signed and everything.
“But I can say clearly, based on my view on everything, that there are no more issues.”
It is expected that Joshua and Fury will agree a two-fight deal with the first coming this summer – in June or July – and the second at some time just before Christmas.
The financial terms will likely 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.
Fury said the pandemic and logistics were to blame for the delay.
“The way it is at the moment [with Covid-19], I don’t think it has got much to do with the fighters,” he told ESPN.
“It’s to do with the venue, date, place, site fees. It’s to do with everything but the fight itself.”
The ongoing issues surrounding the COVID-19 lockdown will also play a pivotal part in where the fight could take place.
Regarding the location, Fury’s co-promoter in the US, Arum, said: “The appropriate place would’ve been the United Kingdom.
“But with the restrictions and uncertainty, we’re looking for a site someplace else – be it the Mid-East or Asia.