Given the news that heavyweight boxing titans Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have just agreed to financial terms for a two-fight deal set to occur next year, we want to say it’s all but confirmed. Though to take a more measured approach, let’s just say we’re certainly a step closer to the dream match-up
This whole narrative practically writes itself. In one corner, you have Fury who has been experiencing a renaissance of sorts with his professional career. A career that is now alive and kicking after an arduous comeback journey. In the other, you have Joshua who has faced something of a redemption arc in his own right in the wake of the Andy Ruiz Jr. rematch.
As for the logistics behind titles, title defences, and so forth, it’s currently unclear how everything will work. Deontay Wilder has invoked his rematch clause for a shot at earning the WBC Heavyweight Championship title back from Fury. While a mandatory challenge from one Kubrat Pulev has been fired at Joshua’s way. Suffice it to say, the division will be quite confusing for some time.
What we do know involves the $$$. According to Forbes, the purse could be “absolutely humungous”. Speaking to Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, Fury and Joshua could earn anything between US$60-70 million for the first fight – and double that for the rematch which, need I remind you, is supposed to happen in the same year. In short, 2021’s could be a very prosperous year for both parties.
“The hardest part is to agree to the financial element of the deal,” says Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn.
“We have agreed with Tyson Fury and the team, and we can now move forward with finalizing the smaller parts of the deal. The good news for fight fans is that we have agreed to do the two fights and we can now go and dot the I’s and cross the T’s.”
Still, the only concern at this point relates to the matter of Wilder and Pulev. Despite all the hype involved with a Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua face-off – not to mention the mountains of cash – Wilder and Pulev don’t automatically take a back seat in terms of priority. There is, after all, a process of formalities. Until the day we’re given concrete clarification, the question of when Fury vs Joshua will fit in the annual schedule remains.
For now, just knock on wood, cross those fingers, and pray to the fight gods us fans don’t get stiffed on yet another epic bout.
