Joshua-Fury fight set for Saudi Arabia, says promoter

FILE – Defending champion Andy Ruiz Jr., left, takes a right cross to the face during his fight against Britain’s Anthony Joshua in their World Heavyweight Championship contest at the Diriyah Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo. Andy Ruiz Jr. has heard all the fat jokes, and understands he has a reputation to rehabilitate. The former heavyweight champion also knows his comeback fight against 40-year-old Chris Arreola has been criticized both for the quality of opponent and the price fans will have to pay to watch it. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FILE – Defending champion Andy Ruiz Jr., left, takes a right cross to the face during his fight against Britain’s Anthony Joshua in their World Heavyweight Championship contest at the Diriyah Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo. Andy Ruiz Jr. has heard all the fat jokes, and understands he has a reputation to rehabilitate. The former heavyweight champion also knows his comeback fight against 40-year-old Chris Arreola has been criticized both for the quality of opponent and the price fans will have to pay to watch it. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

LONDON (AP) — The all-British fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury for the undisputed world heavyweight title will take place in Saudi Arabia, promoter Eddie Hearn said on Tuesday.

Hearn, who represents Joshua, said the fight is likely to take place on Aug. 7 or Aug. 14. He said Aug. 14 is his preferred date because the Olympic Games in Tokyo will have finished, making the Joshua-Fury fight a bigger “global spectacle.”

“It’s a very bad secret that the fight is happening in Saudi Arabia,” Hearn told British broadcaster Sky Sports. “To be honest with you, I don’t mind giving you that information.”

Fury’s U.S. promoter, Bob Arum, has previously said Saudi Arabia would be the location of the fight.

Hearn has yet to respond to The Associated Press’ request to confirm the details of the fight.

It would be Joshua’s second fight in the kingdom. He reclaimed his WBA, IBF and WBO belts from Andy Ruiz there in December 2019.

Joshua’s only fight since saw him retain his titles by knocking out Kubrat Pulev in December.

Fury hasn’t fought since beating Deontay Wilder in February last year to capture the WBC title.

Fury and Joshua have called each other out over Twitter over the last 24 hours, both urging the other to finalize terms for the fight.

Hearn said the “deal is done” but there was frustration on both sides that the fight had not been officially announced.

“From our perspective and AJ’s perspective, we’re ready to go,” he said. “From Tyson Fury’s perspective, they’ve got a couple of lawyers across it from their point.

“We have to nail this,” Hearn added, “and I’m not going to stop until I nail it, and everyone has just got to move forward collectively. We’re ready to go from our side. We’re not far away from their side and it is inevitable.”

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