Tyson Fury Reveals Date and Venue for Clash with Anthony Joshua
Tyson Fury has revealed that his highly-anticipated heavyweight unification bout with Anthony Joshua will take place in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, August 14.
The pair’s respective camps have been locked in negotiations since the turn of the year, with the fight able to crown the first undisputed champion of the division since Lennox Lewis achieved the feat in 1999.
Match room chief Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, announced that the event would be staged in Saudi Arabia earlier this week but official confirmation is yet to be received from both sides.
However, Fury has since explained via Instagram that an August date has been finalised, with the 32-year-old also taking the opportunity to send yet another dig in the direction of Joshua.
“I’ve just got off the phone with Prince Khalid of Saudi Arabia,” he told followers in a short video message.
“He told me this fight is 100 per cent on. August 14, 2021. Summertime.
“All eyes of the world will be on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and I cannot wait, repeat, cannot wait, to smash Anthony Joshua on the biggest stage of all time.
“This is going to be the biggest sporting event ever to grace the planet Earth. Do not miss it. All eyes on us.
“Peace out, God bless, and see you all in Saudi! Yes, get in!”
Talks over the fight have been ongoing since last summer, with both Fury and Joshua previously expressing their annoyance at the multitude of delays.
The two British champions signed a contract back in March but it was confirmed at the time that the date and location were yet to be agreed.
Hearn recently suggested that a brand-new stadium could be constructed for the specific purpose of hosting the bout, underlining his aim to engineer a monumental event on an unprecedented scale.
“They [Saudi Arabia] want to build a new stadium,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “They have indoors options.
“In August at 11pm it will be about 23 degrees. They want to create something very, very special.
“Last time they built a stadium for the Andy Ruiz Jr fight in just seven weeks and it held 18,000. This will be a similar set-up.
“They have the opportunity to hold it indoors but they want to create something that will shock the world. They want to build a stadium just for this fight.”
Many onlookers appear to be split over the outcome of the bout, with Fury and Joshua regarded as the planet’s finest heavyweights for very different reasons.
The latter is known for his big-punching style and knockout artistry, while his compatriot has gained a formidable reputation for his unrivalled versatility and awkwardness.
Fury also boasts an unbeaten record, whereas Joshua was sensationally stopped by the unfancied Ruiz Jr in his only career loss back in 2019 before winning the rematch six months later.