World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has confirmed his unification bout with Anthony Joshua will go ahead in Saudi Arabia on August 14 as months of protracted negotiations look to have reached a successful conclusion.
The all-British mega-bout will see Fury put his WBC belt on the line against WBA, WBO, and IBF holder Joshua, with the winner set to become boxing's first undisputed heavyweight world champion in more than 20 years.
The last undisputed heavyweight king was another British fighter, Lennox Lewis, who defeated Evander Holyfield in 1999 to hold the WBC, WBA, and IBF straps. Since then, the WBO title has been elevated, so all four titles must now be held for a fighter to be undisputed champion.
Fury's announcement came after a conversation he had with Prince Khalid Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's deputy defence minister.
"I just got off the phone with Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia," Fury said in a video posted on Twitter. "He told me this fight is 100 per cent on August 14, 2021.
"All eyes of the world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And I cannot wait, 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."
Negotiations have been ongoing for months as promoters sought out an appropriate location and engaged in terms for their fighters.
Saudi Arabia had long been the frontrunner to host the fight and Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, revealed last month that the bout would be heading to the Kingdom.
“massive announcement” FURY VS JOSHUA IS ON AUGUST 14 in The kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The worlds biggest sporting event all eyes on us. @SCEEKSA @gsaksa_en @trboxing @mtkglobal @frankwarren_tv @marbella @wowhydrate #LETTHEGAMESBEGIN #saudiarabia #TYSONOFARABIA pic.twitter.com/ZKIAXLictV
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) May 16, 2021
Despite Fury's public announcement, an official confirmation from Hearn or Fury's co-promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren has yet to be made as both sides await the final contracts.
"We still haven't gotten the final contracts – we're supposed to get a clean draft on Monday," Arum told ESPN on Sunday. "But Prince Khalid has assured Tyson that there will be no problems, and everybody who has dealt with Prince Khalid and his team know them to be men of their word."
Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) became a two-time heavyweight world champion in February 2020 when he claimed the WBC title with a sensational stoppage win against Deontay Wilder in a rematch following their thrilling draw in December 2018.
Joshua (24-1-0 22 KOs), meanwhile, has already enjoyed success fighting in Saudi Arabia having reclaimed his world titles with a comfortable points win over Andy Ruiz Jr at the "Clash on the Dunes" event in December 2019.
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Joshua beats Ruiz at 'Clash on the Dunes'
