Frank Warren has revealed that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will each earn more than any British fighter has previously been paid for a single bout when they finally meet on December 11.
The long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown was finally confirmed on Thursday as the date and venue – Cardiff’s Principality Stadium – were announced by the fight’s promoters.
Despite both fighters having signed to face each other, the fight was in major doubt amid a dispute over the location before Cardiff was agreed upon as the host.
Warren, Fury’s long-time promoter, told Sky Sports News: “They’re getting paid more than any British fighter has earned in a fight ever.
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“That’s why no one could walk away from it because of the amount of money involved. From Tyson’s position he really, really wants this fight.
“The money was agreed ages ago. The sticking point was that the contracts did not match up and neither side was aware of that. There were two different venues that were put in the contract.
“The bottom line of it is, everyone has compromised and it’s on now.”
Ring walk order still to be decided
While Fury has been given primarily billing with his name first on the fight announcement, Warren revealed that it has yet to be decided which of the pair will walk to the ring first.
A challenger would usually be first to walk to the ring, where they would then have to wait for the champion to follow.
But given neither of former world champions currently hold a title, the order of the ring walk is one of many elements that may have and will continue to be negotiated.
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On Fury’s name coming first on the promotional materials, Warren said: “The billing says AJ-Fury. I think it’s quite right because Tyson is ranked higher than AJ in all the governing bodies rankings, and alphabetically, he should come first anyway.
And on the ring walks, he added: “That’s all to be decided. Being realistic about it, all that sort of stuff, spin a coin, whoever wins, wins.
“As long as they’re in the ring for the first bell, that’s all that matters.
“For me, Tyson should come in second because he’s the guy who’s ranked highest in all the governing bodies.”
‘Fury can make it as easy as he wants to’
Warren is extremely confident that Fury will emerge victorious, but did warn that “you can’t dismiss” Joshua due to his power.
“I have very strong feelings about how the fight will end,” Warren said. “I genuinely feel he [Fury] can make it as easy as he wants to.
“You can’t dismiss AJ because he’s a big, big puncher and in his last fight he was in trouble, but he pulled it out the bag with his punch power, but Tyson is a much different opponent, and you know he’s got a good chin.
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“What I class as a good chin is when guys go over, get up off the floor and come back. Tyson has done that. He’s a tough, tough customer. He’s very confident, and his boxing ability will prevail in the end. He’ll come out with the prize.
“These guys have been talking about this fight for 12 years – maybe even longer – and everything will have to be on the line. Neither of them will want to lose.
“Tyson feels he’s got AJ’s number. I think he wins and I think he’ll do it in spectacular style.”