Saudi Arabia want mega-money boxing tournament with Joshua, Fury, Usyk & Wilder
Saudia Arabia officials are set to make offers for a December heavyweight tournament in the coming weeks.
Rumours have been rife of a mega money event in the Middle East this winter. But Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder will get made offers soon as the Gulf state looks to solidify its position in the sport.
Fury took to social media earlier this week to claim the rumours are “BS” but that’s because he’s yet to be engaged in talks with them.
READ MORE: 'I'm a boxer who banned sex for three months – it made me punch harder in fights'
Skills Challenge, who run boxing events in Saudi, plan to invite the fighters’ representatives out for talks in the next month. Their plan is to finally get an undisputed heavyweight champion for the first time since Lennox Lewis reigned in 1999.
Fighters will be allowed to take bouts in the meantime but they will be warned the risk they face if losing belts. Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF belts, is due a mandatory defence against Daniel Dubois which is in negotiations for this summer.
Do you think a boxing tournament will take place in the Middle East? Let us know in the comments section below
Fury has not got any such pressures on him but may opt for a warm-up bout as he has not boxed since December. Joshua has stated that he will not fight until December now but promoter Eddie Hearn is still hopeful he can get his man in action again this summer, with Dillian Whyte still a potential opponent.
Zhilei Zhang, who beat Joe Joyce to become No 1 with the WBO at the weekend, is set for a rematch with the British heavyweight, who is expected to trigger the clause in the contract despite his sixth-round stoppage.
Hearn has hinted the tournament could be worth around £400m but it is understood that individual purses would be under the £100m mark. The organisers would prefer Fury to face Usyk and Joshua against Wilder but they are open to negotiating that.
Joshua against Fury would bring them the biggest UK TV audience and that may get broadcasters on board.
There are still many obstacles to overcome, including Joshua’s long-term deal with DAZN which is an exclusive broadcast contract.
Fury will also have to be convinced to take part in the tournament if it gets the green light.
READ NEXT:
LIV Golf rebel Phil Mickelson could buy NBA team and Ronaldo's cars with mega net worth
Boxing fans 'surprised he didn't put it on PPV' as Floyd Mayweather spars grandson
Paige Spiranac loses World's Sexiest Woman crown despite her 'fantastic milkers'
Ice hockey chaos as annual game between NYPD and FDNY ends in brawl on the ice
Patrick Cantlay draws Happy Gilmore comparison as golf fans fume at shot time
Source: Read Full Article