Eddie Hearn speaks out on major Saudi Arabia deal involving Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua
- Lewis Oldham
- 18 April 2023
Eddie Hearn has discussed the possibility of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder taking place on the same night.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Saudi Arabia want to host Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder on the same night.
Boxing fans have rightly vented their frustration regarding the state of the heavyweight division after Fury vs Usyk fell through.
The heavyweight undisputed fight was scheduled for this month, but talks ended after the boxers could not agree to all aspects of the deal.
It is hoped that Fury will instead face Usyk at the end of the year when an event in Saudi Arabia is a possibility.
Hearn is wary that Fury will only agree to fight Usyk "if the money is right".
"If the money's right, it will happen. It's just how it is. Because some people will want those fights, and some people won't want those fights. But always, everyone has a price," Hearn said.
"Tyson Fury does not want to fight Usyk. But, for a price, he will fight Usyk."
Hearn's comments come after it was reported that Saudi Arabia hope to host Fury vs Usyk and Joshua vs Wilder on the same night in December.
‼️ Eddie Hearn has declared that reps in the Middle East want to stage Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder ON THE SAME NIGHT in December in a mega deal that he believes could be worth “up to $400MILLION” in fighter purses if it gets made. [@IFLTV]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 17, 2023
The Matchroom supremo has confirmed that there is "some appetite" for this to happen. But he has pointed out that it will difficult to pull off as "four separate deals" will be on the table.
"There is definitely some appetite from the Middle East to stage that event…" Hearn added.
"But, it's going to take four fighters to commit to that and four separate deals to take place, but if the money's right then I'm sure it can happen."
When asked about his plans for Joshua, he continued: "For AJ, his big fight, and it will come in the Middle East, will be in December.
"That will be Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder."
"That will be Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder."
