JOSHUA’S ‘HUGE’ SAUDI ARABIA OFFER!

According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua has received a “huge site offer” to stage the winner of Wilder – Fury for an undisputed mega-fight later this year.

Hearn admitted the new offer for this undisputed clash would need to be a 50 /50 split to make the fight happen but insists this is the fight Joshua wants.

When asked about Saudi Arabia, Hearn added: “A big option. We have a partnership out there in Saudi Arabia. They put the money up for the Andy Ruiz fight. Everything they promised, they delivered. They want this fight bad and when they’ve got that kind of attitude and mentality, it’s going to be difficult to beat.” The reported site-fee which was paid by Saudi officials to host the Joshua – Ruiz rematch fight was reported to be £30million.

Joshua hasn’t fought in the UK since September 2018 where he defeated Povetkin in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley stadium. Recent reports speculated his next fight against ‘front runner’ and IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, could take place in Turkey, but Hearn has said ‘it’s time to come home’. “The bad news is that Kubrat Pulev wants as much money as possible for this fight and he realises there’s more money in Istanbul, or Saudi Arabia, or the Congo, or Nigeria… but AJ is going to call the shots.”

AJ also has a WBO mandatory obligation to fulfil against the undefeated Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk. Anthony Joshua insisted in an ideal world, he would prefer to defend his world titles against Usyk at Wembley in his next outing before facing either Fury of Wilder later in the year. “I would 100 per cent love to fight again at Wembley, it’s mad to say I’ve boxed here, it’s a blessing… If it was up to me, in 2020 I’d fight Usyk and then the winner of Wilder versus Fury.” Meeting’s between the teams took place last week but it seems this bout is on the back burner for now. A risky fight with Derek Chisora looks set for March at the o2 Arena in London as Usyk continues his journey in the heavyweight division.

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Boxing Guru’s 2020 Boxing Preview