Anthony Joshua holds key to fight with Tyson Fury taking place – Frank Warren
By Duncan Bech, Press Association
Anthony Joshua holds the key to his long-overdue all-British showdown with Tyson Fury finally taking place, according to promoter Frank Warren.
The heavyweight rivals have yet to agree to a bout that has been a decade in the making, with New York’s Madison Square Garden on November 19th the likely venue and date for their clash.
Warren believes that if a contract is not signed by the end of next week, the richest fight in British boxing history will fall through again.
The Queensberry Promotions boss has put the ball in Joshua’s court, claiming that while Matchroom Sport’s Eddie Hearn is standing firm over the financial terms outlined in the original contract finalised when it was due to be staged in the UK, Fury will do what it takes to face his rival in the ring.
Warren said: “There are a lot of things I can’t say at the moment. Does AJ want the fight? I don’t know.
“He had a hard fight last time (Joshua knocked out unknown Kristian Prenga in two rounds in July but only after being floored twice in the opening round). He came through it in the end but it was hard. Does he want it? He’s the only one who knows that. He says he does.
“They’re quite right when they say they signed a contract for the fight to take place in the UK. Tyson didn’t sign up for America but he just wants to get the fight on and get all the politics out the way.
“Tyson went to Miami last weekend where he’s been training. And he’s training to fight because one way or another he will be fighting in November. Hopefully it will be against AJ.
“Whether AJ fights Tyson is down to AJ, no-one else has got any say on that. I can categorically say that Tyson will fight where he needs to.
“Everyone has got to make their mind up, otherwise move on. I think the fight will happen. If it doesn’t happen then it will be one of those that slipped by.”
The prospect of a momentous night for British boxing taking place outside the UK has caused uproar, with an indignant Hearn opposed to it being held anywhere other than Wembley.
However, Warren insists there have been notable examples of previous major heavyweight collisions being staged overseas.
Warren said: “Netflix are the broadcaster and in America they have 250 million subscribers and they’re putting up the money.
“Think of all the iconic fights of years ago – The Thrilla in Manila involving two Americans. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier had a great first fight and everyone wanted that fight – Las Vegas, New York.
“But it ended up in Manila because somebody put up the money for it to go there. Rumble in the Jungle…who didn’t want to see Ali v George Foreman? And where did it wind up? In Zaire because it’s where they got their money. This is nothing unusual.
“Of course it should be in Wembley but at the end of the day they’re getting punched in the head, they’re old guys as far as boxing is concerned and they’re getting a truck load of money. So get it on.”
