Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua – Just what is going on?
It's widely accepted that the best don't always fight the best due to all the politics and variables in the equations that come with making the biggest title fights in the world. You have conflicting broadcast deals, governing bodies, promoters, managers, lawyers… you name it. There's always obstacles in place and this has been transparantly evident in the making of the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua undisputed heavyweight title fight.
Just as the fight date and location was confirmed for August 14 in Saudi Arabia, which took four months in the making, it all came crashing down within a matter of days and now the fight seems all but cancelled.
BBN have attempted to break down all the latest news over the past 10 days surrounding this seemingly doomed undisputed date below… try to keep up if you can:
Tuesday, May 11
Announcement: Promoter Eddie Hearn, who represents WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO unified world champion Anthony Joshua, confirmed the 'bad secret' that the fight would take place in Saudi Arabia was indeed true, and also that the date would either be August 7 or 14 and confirmed that the "deal is done". The confirmation was a long time coming after the pair initially signed contracts for a two-fight deal almost a whole month on March 15.
Wednesday, May 12
No Guarantees: Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren, who represents Tyson Fury, released a statement to say that Tyson hadn't yet signed the deal because he wasn't comfortable that the guarantees were not in place in contract. According to Warren, the amount being paid wasn't guaranteed by the bank and Fury wasn't satisfied with that. Read more
Sunday, May 16
Tyson Talks: Tyson Fury announced to the world that "I've got some massive news for you all. I've just got off the phone with Prince Khalid from Saudi Arabia. He told me the fight is 100% on for August 14 in Saudi Arabia. All eyes of the world will be on Saudi, and I can't wait to smash Anthony Joshua on the biggest stage of all-time. It will be the biggest sporting event to ever grace planet earth, so you cannot miss it. See you all in Saudi."
Monday, May 17
Arbitration: A court ruled on Monday that WBC champion Fury must take on Deontay Wilder again by September 15. 'The Gypsy King' being ordered to fight Wilder for a third time casts serious doubt over the proposed August super bout with Anthony Joshua.
Tuesday, May 18
Step Aside: Vengeful Wilder declares that he will step aside for $20 million to allow their undisputed clash to continue.
'The Bronze Bomber's team forced an arbitration hearing which concluded he had a contractual right to face Fury for a third time for the WBC belt, and by the date of September 15.
Fury confirmed Wilder "asked for $20m (£14m) to move over", and added: "Looks like I will have to crack his skull again."
The American's team had long argued their fighter had a contractual right to a third fight with Fury, but after delays led to a July 2020 contest being postponed, Wilder's team sought to move the bout to 2021.
Fury refused the 2021 date and said he would move on and that's what prompted mediation overseen by American judge Daniel Weinstein, who has now sided with Wilder and set the impending deadline for a third contest.
"Until we can reach an accommodation with Deontay Wilder's people, I can't say that [Fury's fight with Joshua] will definitely happen," Fury's promoter Frank Warren told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme. Read more
Wednesday, May 19
Twitter Beef: A frustrated Anthony Joshua slams Tyson Fury on social media network, Twitter, on Wednesday evening, publicly declaring "The world now sees you for the fraud you are. You've let boxing down! You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout, not a fight. Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly."
A furious Fury replies: "You're more full of s**t than Eddie, spouting absolute s***e! Your full team knew there was an arbitration going on, It was out of my hands! But I tell you what, if I'm a fraud, let's fight this weekend, bare knuckles til' one man quits? Let's put up £20 million each!"
AJ continued to push the argument forward, questioning "If there was an arbitration going on, why announce to the world we are fighting! The fight was signed! UNDISPUTED! Bare knuckle? You're a good kid, don't play with me Luke! I'll slap your bald head and you'll do nothing! Waste man."
Fury continued to take the bait, "Not going into the details online! You'll slap me about will you dosser? Please come and try bum, I'm waiting… Femi AKA Bottlejob! 24/7 365 ready. I'll smoke Wilder first then you will get yours as well."
WBO Ruling: The governing body's stance on Wednesday evening was that AJ has 48 hours to agree terms with their mandatory fighter, Oleksandr Usyk – yet another blow to the planned undisputed heavyweight championship clash.
Thursday, May 20
WBC Sanction Fury-Wilder: As of May 20, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has stated the governing body will support a trilogy bout, saying: “Yes, we will sanction Fury v Wilder on request,” he told the Daily Mail. “We are on board with Tyson and Anthony Joshua for the undisputed title but a fight between our distinguished current and former heavyweight champions is also an outstanding event.”
Wilder Breaks Silence: Deontay Wilder posted a workout video with a warning to his sole conqueror that revenge is sweet, quoting explicit lines from the 2Pac song 'Hail Mary'.
Hearn Harrassed: Eddie Hearn's latest statement to the media was not optimistic, “I think really we’re in as situation now where if Team Fury don’t get their act together by the end of this week, we will have no option but to look for an alternative fight.”
Ukrainian Usyk Adds Upset: WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk took to Instagram to tell Eddie Hearn "I want more money". The clock is ticking down on what the World Boxing Organisation's decision will be – whether Joshua will be forced to face Usyk or vacate.
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