The ink isn’t even dry on the contract that was signed to seal one of the biggest heavyweight contests in history, but the location where the bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will do battle is yet to be agreed.
The final announcement that the deal had been agreed the two parties was finalised last week, with the deal including two fights, which could both take place this week. However, one point yet to be agreed upon is where the fight will take place, and there is now less than a month for a location to be found.
Boxing News: Front Runners To Host Enormous Event
In truth, it isn’t a matter of struggling to find a location, but instead finding a location where the money and economics make sense. The COVID-pandemic is likely to play an important role in any final decision, which could mean that hopes of having the two British fighters battle at the national home stadium at Wembley could be very slim.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined his road map back to normality a couple of weeks ago, and that included having stadiums full for sporting events at the end of June. The date of the first bout still hasn’t been decided as yet but it is likely to be the end of June or early July. That could potentially mean Wembley could be on the table, but many believe that the first bout could be set for a location in Saudi Arabia.
Boxing News: Saudi Arabia Most Likely Location
It wouldn’t be the first time that either fighter has been in the country. Tyson Fury made his WWE in-ring debut at an event in Saudi Arabia, while Anthony Joshua retained his heavyweight titles in the same country against Andy Ruiz Jr. Eddie Hearn has revealed that the country have already shown an interest in holding the event. He also revealed that all the big-money offers have come in from the Middle East and Far East, and that those countries are ahead at present.
However, he hasn’t completely ruled out the London location, but insisted any chance of the fight happening at Wembley will hinge on whether the 100,000 capacity will be filled, and whether the venue can fit the event in to their busy schedule. Wembley is already set to host a vast number of games for the soccer European Championships this summer, and there have even been rumours that the whole competition could be moved to England. A final decision on location is set to be announced by the end of April.
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