Eddie Hearn has dismissed concerns that the highly anticipated Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury bout will be held in the early hours of the morning UK time. The much-awaited British showdown is nearly finalized, with Cardiff likely to host the fight on December 11, following months of challenging negotiations.
Speculation had suggested the fight might begin very late to accommodate a U.S. audience, but Hearn clarified on Saturday, “People talk about a 3am BST fight? I don’t think you’ll see the fight that late.” He added that discussions with the Principality Stadium about feasible start times contributed to the delay in announcing the fight, ensuring an agreed-upon later kickoff without compromising location. Joshua, who led the decision, insisted on keeping the fight in the UK, rejecting extra money or changing terms for another venue.
Hearn’s comments refer to a disagreement over the fight’s location stemming from differing contracts: Joshua’s contract requires the fight to happen on British soil, whereas Fury’s contract allows for flexible locations. Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, recently noted that Tyson Fury made the fight possible by agreeing to come to the UK despite originally having the option to host it elsewhere. Warren stated, “Tyson could have said, ‘Contractually, I don’t have to do this.’ But he wants the fight because he firmly believes he will knock Joshua out.”
Initially, Fury favored holding the bout in the U.S., with key backers eyeing New York’s Madison Square Garden, but he eventually conceded to a UK venue. Both fighters are former two-time heavyweight world champions and have been linked to a face-off for nearly ten years.
In their last fights, Fury stopped 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in July in Thailand, although this bout wasn’t televised. Meanwhile, Joshua fought Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia the following day, overcoming two surprising knockdowns in the first round to win by stoppage in the second.
Fan Take: This news excites fight fans worldwide because it promises a monumental clash on home soil, ensuring maximum live audience energy without odd start times. For the sport, hosting such a high-profile heavyweight showdown in the UK could reignite global interest in boxing and potentially set up more blockbuster domestic events.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
