If you’re a boxing fan who has been following all the latest twists and turns of the Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury saga, you might be at your wit's end with regard to it all. It has, in essence, been a year of cat and mouse from both parties as they attempt to thrash out a deal, and even if it seems as if we’re in the final throes of this seemingly never-ending back and forth, an agreement has still yet to be officially reached.
The latest hold-up is the question of how long it will take for the Saudis to do their due diligence on a hosting deal that is worth a reported £107 million. Indeed, the Middle Eastern kingdom is intent on making a financial return on their investment as opposed to that of just the exposure of having the fight in their country. This could potentially mean that the fight isn’t held in 2021 and, instead, is delayed until 2022. Bob Arum has gone as far as to say that a fight in the Northern Hemisphere's summer is all but 'dead in the water'.
The 89-year-old promoter who works on behalf of Tyson Fury also echoed what Eddie Hearn has been saying now that the fight faces yet another lengthy delay, with both promoters advising the boxers to take interim fights whilst the organizers dot their i’s and cross their t’s.
The problem with this suggestion is that should either Fury or Joshua lose, the mega-fight being painstakingly organized behind the scenes won’t go ahead in Saudi Arabia. In reality, the interim fights that both boxers take will be far from a walk in the park either. Joshua is expected to fight Oleksandr Usyk, who is of course the mandatory challenger to his WBO heavyweight title. The 34-year-old Ukrainian is undefeated in 18 fights and has all the needed skills to inflict the second defeat of Joshua’s career. Joshua will be the favorite but, after his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, one can never say with absolute certainty that the Watford-born heavyweight will win.
My inspiration is my determination 💯 pic.twitter.com/9UlheLw9Dh
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) March 23, 2021
Fury on the other hand is targeting a potentially bizarre fight with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. In truth, it's all getting a bit out of hand, but that’s what Fury was indicating whilst he recorded videos of himself in his Las Vegas penthouse suite whilst he swanned around in Versace gowns.
The Gypsy King versus the Predator?@Tyson_Fury responds to @francis_ngannou's call-out. pic.twitter.com/qOM8exzB8A
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) April 29, 2021
Astonishingly, Ngannou hit back straight away and said he would take care of Fury once he knocked out Jon Jones which, it must be said, does seem a very likely outcome. Indeed, the Cameroonian is at odds of ½ with William Hill to win that fight. Punters who are keen on backing Ngannou to win can access a host of sign-up bonuses from online bookies to use on the fight. Indeed, these sportsbook bonuses are similar to the casino bonus list 2020 UK with exclusive bonuses, which punters can use to get started on online casinos and sports betting.
I'll take care of @JonnyBones first then come after @Tyson_Fury
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 29, 2021
How this peculiar story plays out between Fury and Ngannou remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: Everyone needs to take a deep breath and wait for the mega-fight to go ahead.
What would the point of 14 months of negotiations be if Joshua loses to Usky or Fury gets beaten by a man who has overcome every barrier in his life to become a professional fighter? Yes, the negotiations have been a torment, but we’re nearly at the end. Now is not the time for Joshua or Fury to risk it all.
