Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum, co-promoter for WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, explains that a deal is inching closer for a unification clash with WBA, WBO, IBF Champion Anthony Joshua.
The two sides are in serious negotiations for a two fight series in 2021. Their first fight would land on a date in May or June, at a location to be determined.
Arum reveals that Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is sending over the first draft of the fight contract this week.
“I talked to Eddie,’ Arum told TalkSport. “Eddie, with the Joshua people, will have the first draft of the contract to us on Tuesday. And then I will circulate it to [Fury co-promoter] Frank [Warren], to Tyson and to the various lawyers. We’ll then get back to Eddie with our comments and I really believe that this is pretty much a no-brainer because everybody are professionals and want this to happen.
“So I think shortly we’ll be able to tie this up and then jointly select the site. When we get the draft we’ll have our input and send them back a red line copy. They’ll study it and send us back a copy, and within a week or two we’ll have a complete meeting of the minds, I’m very confident. And we’ll get a document that both parties can sign.”
Once the two sides are able to reach an agreement on the terms, then a location will have to be secured. The UK would have been the preferred location, but the current COVID-19 restrictions would prevent that scenario.
“The appropriate place would’ve been the United Kingdom,” Arum said. “But with the restrictions and uncertainty, we’re looking for a site someplace else – be it the Mid-East or Asia. And I’m sure that once we get this document signed, we’ll jointly be able to select the site and get it announced.”
–boxingscene.com
