Frank Warren says he thinks a long-awaited heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will go ahead in America despite claims the bout is in doubt.
Everything seemed to be in place for the British pair of former world champions to meet in London in November, but Saudi organisers Sela’s desire to instead hold the event in the USA has created a hold up.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has been pushing to keep the fight in London, which led to Fury claiming last week that the contest was in “serious doubt” because his rival was asking for “more money”.
However, Fury’s promoter Warren has allayed fears the fight could be called off, and insists The Gypsy King would also have preferred it to take place in the UK.
Warren told Sky Sports News: “I genuinely think it will happen. His Excellency, Turki Al-Alsheikh, he will announce that fairly soon.
“I know there’s been some issues with contracts with Matchroom and AJ; I believe they will iron all those out.
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“In the meantime, Tyson [Fury] has flown off to the States, he’s in Miami and he’s preparing for the fight.
“I think they both want the fight at Wembley, but it’s out of their hands now. That’s not quite right, actually, they could refuse to fight. We don’t get the fight we want to see.
“I think because of the amount of money involved, I hope I’m wrong, but I think it will go on in America.”
‘Nothing unusual’ for all-British clash to take place abroad
Warren says the fight taking place outside of the UK would be “nothing unusual” in terms of boxing’s history.
“You had two massive American heroes in Muhammad Ali and George Foreman,” Warren said. “Two American fighters, all the Americans wanted to see it, Vegas wanted to put the fight on, Madison Square Gardens wanted to see it, and it went off to Zaire.
“Everybody thought: ‘What on earth was that all about?’ But it became not just an iconic fight and an iconic moment in sport.
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“Ali had the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ with Joe Frazier. Joe Bugner fought Ali in Kuala Lumpur, it’s nothing unusual.
“I think it’s like all sportsmen, say, for example, David Beckham, he went off and played at the end of his career [abroad], and he did that because of the money.
“And that’s why these guys are doing this, they are professional boxers.
“Would I like to see it at Wembley? Would all the fans like to see it at Wembley? Of course they would. But they are in the hands of another broadcaster who wants the fight in America.”