The biggest potential matchup in boxing is set. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed with ESPN today that the fights between the heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury (30-0-1) and Anthony Joshua (24-1) are signed.
The two men will meet in a two-fight series to unify the boxing heavyweight championships. The current target is for the first fight to take place in July while the second fight would take place just before the end of the year.
The two heavyweight champions will share a 50/50 split in terms of pay for the first matchup. In the second matchup, whoever won the first fight will get the higher of a 60/40 share in terms of the payout.
At the moment, the promoters are currently working with about nine different locations to host the opening matchup. It appears that the Middle East is likely to secure the first of the two boxing matchups. However, that is far from a done deal at this time.
More importantly, we are finally going to see some clarity in the heavyweight division. Instead of their being two heavyweight champions, by the end of 2021, we will see one universal heavyweight boxing champion.
Boxing’s Best
All of the boxing titles that Anthony Joshua currently holds, Tyson Fury once held. Back in 2015, Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschoko to win the four heavyweight titles that Anthony Joshua currently holds.
However, that was the last time Fury had those titles. After some issues outside of the ring, Fury took almost three years off from competing. The heavyweight division moved on and Anthony Joshua rose to the top.
However, Joshua did have a slip up against Andy Ruiz. Joshua lost in his first matchup with Ruiz before outpointing him to regain the heavyweight crown in late 2019. When Tyson Fury returned to boxing, he seemed focused on the WBC heavyweight title that was held by Deontay Wilder.
Fury and Wilder fought to a draw in their first matchup, although, most believe that Fury won. In the second matchup, Fury didn’t let it get to the judges. He stopped Wilder to become the WBC heavyweight champion of the world.
Now, we are going to see these two great heavyweights unify the boxing championships. It’s an interesting two-fight deal, but we should be in for two great matchups this year.