WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury said his hotly anticipated world heavyweight title unification session against Anthony Joshua would occur in Saudi Arabia on August 14.
“Massive announcement FURY VS JOSHUA IS ON AUGUST 14 in The kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The world’s (sic) biggest sporting event all eyes on us,” Fury tweeted.
Between them, the two British boxers hold all four major versions of the heavyweight title.
Saudi Arabia staged the 31-year-old Joshua’s rematch against Andy Ruiz when the Briton regained his World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation, and World Boxing Organisation titles in December 2019. Putting him on a collision course with Fury became the World Boxing Council champion shortly afterward.
In a video posted on Twitter, Fury said: “I have got some massive news. I have just got off the phone with Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia and he told me this fight is 100 percent on August 14.”
A year older than Joshua, Fury added: “All eyes of the world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“I cannot wait, I repeat, cannot wait to smash Anthony Joshua on the biggest stage of all time.
“This is going to be the biggest sporting event ever to grace the planet Earth. Do not miss it.”
What is broadly anticipated to be the most extravagant battle in British confining history began to linger to see when Fury halted Deontay Wilder to win the WBC title in February a year ago after Joshua had retaliated for the lone loss of his expert profession by crushing Ruiz.
Joshua held his three belts in December with a 10th round knockout of compulsory challenger Kubrat Pulev.
The third battle among Fury and Wilder has neglected to occur in the interim, which means the “lineal boss” has been idle in over a year since halting Wilder in Las Vegas.
As of late, rage’s co-advertiser Bob Arum said a battle in July or August was “dead in the water.”
In any case, recently, Eddie Hearn, who advances Joshua, said the two camps were near getting a date just as a setting.
“August 7, August 14,” Hearn told Sky Sports when asked about a date for Joshua-Fury. “It’s a terrible secret that the fight is happening in Saudi Arabia. I don’t mind giving that information; Bob Arum’s already done it.”
Hearn added: “It’s the same people we did the deal with for Andy Ruiz. That event was spectacular. As partners, they were fantastic as well, so we’re very comfortable.
“We’re very comfortable. Anthony’s comfortable. He knows those people. They delivered on every one of their promises last time – we’re ready to go.”