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(COMBO) This combination of images created on December 14, 2020 shows boxer Tyson Fury (L) during a press conference in Los Angeles, California on January 25, 2020, and British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua during a press conference at Ad Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, outside Riyadh, December 4, 2019 – Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn says a deal for his man to fight Tyson Fury in a All-British heavyweight world unification fight in 2021 could take as little as two days to complete. Plans for a “Battle of Britain” have accelerated after 31-year-old Joshua stopped Bulgarian veteran Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round at Wembley Arena on December 12 to retain his three belts. (Photos by RINGO CHIU and FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP)
Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn says a deal for his man to fight Tyson Fury in a world heavyweight unification fight between the British in 2021 could take as little as two days to complete.
Plans for a “Battle of Britain” have accelerated after 31-year-old Joshua stopped veteran Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round at Wembley Arena on Saturday to retain his three belts.
Fury, the self-described “Gypsy King”, took to social media after Pulev was knocked out, saying he would knock out his fellow British heavyweight “in three rounds.”
An agreement in principle for Joshua, who retained his WBA, WBO and IBF belts, and WBC champion Fury for two meetings in 2021 has been in place since the beginning of this year.
When asked how long it would take to complete a deal, Hearn replied: “A couple of days.
“There is no reason why we cannot complete the deal and then go ahead and solve the other problems.
“We have to write to the governing bodies and say ‘yes, we have a deal’ and now we will talk to the different sites and confirm the dates shortly for what I assume will be the end of May.”
There are some potential roadblocks, even if Fury is forced to fight Deontay Wilder for the third time and the WBO could tell Joshua to face mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
But Hearn insisted: “The only problem I can think of is Wilder. If the court orders a rematch for Fury, and it doesn’t seem like they will, then it’s out of our hands.
“That is the only way he fails is if something stops his side. It’s not me who says they don’t want it, they do. But if the court orders it, we will have to fight Usyk. “
Matchroom promoter Hearn questioned Fury’s enthusiastic assessment of his chances, saying Joshua would knock him out.
“AJ was hit once, maybe with a right hand (against Pulev), that was it,” he said. “Fury and Pulev probably hit each other as hard as each other, Fury isn’t a devastating puncher, but he’s a lot better than Pulev.
“It’s an undeniable fight, it should be the toughest fight there is, but I’ve always liked that he beat Tyson Fury, always.”
BBC Personality
Fury has revealed that he has asked his lawyers to help remove him from the BBC’s sports personality of the year finalists list.
The heavyweight champion said he asked “politely” when he posted an Instagram message earlier this month.
But now he has taken further steps to be removed from the list of contenders and has instructed his lawyers to send a letter to the BBC.
Fury’s previous appearance on the shortlist in 2015 caused controversy, with more than 100,000 people signing a petition calling for the boxer’s removal over a series of outspoken comments about homophobia and abortion.
But in 2018, Fury’s omission from the final list, following his draw against Wilder, drew criticism from the boxer’s field.
This year’s list of finalists also includes Formula One world champion, world snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
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