Frank Warren has insisted Tyson Fury’s long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua is guaranteed to happen, with discussions set to take place soon to finalise the remaining details, including the venue and date.
The all-British heavyweight showdown is being targeted for late November after years of unsuccessful attempts to arrange a meeting between the former world champions. While Warren would prefer the fight to take place in the UK, reports have increasingly linked the event to Las Vegas.
The veteran promoter said no decision has been made yet because all parties still need to meet, but stressed that the bout is already agreed and that everyone involved wants it to go ahead.
Speculation around the promotion of the fight intensified after Fury, 37, hinted at a major announcement involving Zuffa Boxing president Dana White before confirming he would be promoted by Saudi Arabian sports investor Turki Alalshikh. Fury also suggested White’s new boxing venture could have a role in the Joshua fight.
However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that Zuffa Boxing will be involved and has maintained that Joshua’s contract requires the fight to be staged in Britain.
Questions have also been raised about Warren’s future involvement after Fury’s recent appearance at a UFC event. Warren dismissed any concerns, saying Fury continues to be promoted by both Queensberry Promotions and Alalshikh, and that he remains fully involved in the boxer’s career.
According to Warren, plans are already being made for Fury to take part in an interim bout before facing Joshua later in the year. Fury returned from retirement in April with a victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov and has indicated he could fight again in August before the anticipated Joshua showdown.
Joshua, meanwhile, must also come through his next assignment. The two-time heavyweight champion is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on 25 July.
The 36-year-old has even invited Fury to attend the fight ringside, mirroring Joshua’s appearance at Fury’s victory over Makhmudov earlier this year. If both men emerge victorious, boxing fans could finally see one of the most eagerly awaited heavyweight contests of the modern era.