Six venues scrap it out for Joshua vs Fury while Whyte’s rematch to be abroad

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Dillian Whyte against Alexander Povetkin could be heading for the Rock of Gibraltar.

While six countries around the world queue up with their cheque books to try to land the Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury undisputed heavyweight showdown, another fight is attracting international interest.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed Whyte's rematch with Russian puncher Povetkin could be going overseas.

And Gibraltar is on the list of possibilities alongside Monaco and a number of Middle East countries.

Hearn said: “We've spoken to some quite interesting ones, a couple in the Middle East and we've also spoken to Gibraltar and also to Monaco.

“The feeling from Dillian is he would like crowds for that fight.

“It's a big fight for him and he would prefer that fight in front of some kind of crowds but even in the territories I mentioned there's no guarantee that would be the case either.

“There could be crowds in Gibraltar.”

Hearn announced Matchroom's start to 2021 yesterday which includes Josh Warrington's IBF featherweight title defence against little-known Mexican Mauricio Lara on February 13.

Then Josh Kelly challenges David Avanesyan for the European welterweight title a week later before Whyte's clash with Povetkin on March 6.

Lawrence Okolie challenges Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO cruiserweight title on March 20 before Conor Benn takes on Samuel Vargas on April 10.

Hearn wants them all in the same venue – except Whyte against Povetkin – but where will be dependent on the Covid-19 numbers in local hospitals.

The sport faces a battle to come back due to the need for available intensive care beds in nearby hospitals if fighters suffer serious injuries but Hearn is confident they can get it back up and running.

Meanwhile, talks continue for WBA, IBF and WBO champion Joshua to take on WBC title holder Fury in May or June and Hearn is confident a deal can be agreed within a month as six venues battle it out to host the clash.

They include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Australia and the US.

Hearn added: “I think really someone said to me how long do you think? And I said I think in the next four weeks.

“That’s when the deal will get closed.

“We’re in a position now where everything has been finalised in a contractual sense and then we will go to the venues where we’ve had offers and look to finalise that.

“We’re almost at a point now where we can go to the venues with confidence and say ‘we have a fight’.”

• Anthony Joshua
• Eddie Hearn
• Tyson Fury

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