"That was really with the mindset with them of doing the undisputed fight, so they are absolutely keen to secure this fight," promoter Eddie Hearn knows Saudi Arabia's desire to host the Joshua vs Fury fight
Thursday 25 March 2021 17:50, UK
Saudi Arabia is 'absolutely keen' to secure the Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury fight with only a few weeks remaining to select a location, says promoter Eddie Hearn.
The British rivals have signed contracts for an undisputed world heavyweight title fight this year, but a three-week deadline has been set to finalise a venue and date for a summer showdown.
Matchroom boss Hearn will travel to a number of potential sites next week, although he is fully aware of the desire to host the fight in the Middle East, having promoted Joshua's rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Sky customers: Buy Povetkin vs Whyte 2
Non-Sky customers: Buy Povetkin vs Whyte 2
"We had a great experience there back in December 2019, with Anthony Joshua against Andy Ruiz, so they are players that we know are for real.
"That sort of cuts out a lot of the timeframe in terms of going to all these various meetings. We've been through the process with them. They gave us their word on what they would deliver and they did that. It was a fantastic event.
"When we did Anthony Joshua against Andy Ruiz 2. That was really with the mindset with them of doing the undisputed fight, so they are absolutely keen to secure this fight.
We want two fights this year and the first one will be in the summer.
"Obviously there is two versions of it, so June, July in the Middle East is very warm. Most people would prefer it to be a little bit later, but that's not what's on the table. We want two fights this year and the first one will be in the summer."
With England set to open its stadiums for this summer's European championships, Hearn has also not given up hope of holding Joshua vs Fury on home soil.
Hearn said: "There has been some conversations about as we see the Euros potentially going into Wembley in June, July. Can we be a part of that at the back end of it? Could we get 100,000 at Wembley?
"We would need to, to even have that conversation. There's a few conversations going on behind the scenes, with regards to that, but certainly financially all the big offers have come in from the Middle East, the Far East and other countries, so next week is all about going to have those meetings.
"The next three weeks really is the timeframe where we want to make sure it's signed and announced."
Watch Povetkin vs Whyte 2 on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, from 6pm. Book it via your Sky remote or book it online here. Even if you aren't a Sky TV subscriber you can book and watch it here.
