By: Sean Crose
The WBC and undisputed world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has made it clear that he is willing to fight former WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua before the end of this year. Anthony Joshua responded in kind, saying that he will be “ready in December.” On Tuesday, Fury took things a step further, offering a 60/40 revenue split with his fellow Englishwoman, should they meet in the ring. And now, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has considered indicating to iFL TV that Fury’s offer may be legitimate and that Joshua himself approves.
“I took it with a pinch of salt,” Hearn said of his initial reaction to Fury’s call from Joshua. Still, being Joshua’s promoter, Hearn turned to Joshua and his team, who indicated that Joshua would be ready to go, should Fury’s offer be legitimate. Now, says Hearn, both sides have moved on to the next step. “The talks have been quite productive,” he told iFl TV. “Sixty-forty was the offer, as Tyson said. They want a rematch clause and have asked for a date in early November.” Although November was not acceptable for Joshua’s team, both Joshua and Hearn would be fine with the fight a few weeks later.
“We think, I think particularly, he (Joshua) deserves more than 40 percent,” Hearn said, “but he’s happy and I don’t call the shots, he does. So I came back this morning and said we take 60/40. We want that to turn into a rematch, rightfully so…and we want to do the fight in December. And interestingly,” Hearn added, “they have December 17 in Queensbury at the Millennium Stadium, so it’s perfect, it’s perfect for us.” Hearn’s conclusion? “All I can tell you at this point is that we take 60/40.”
Hearn made it clear, however, that while Fury’s proposed 60/40 split was acceptable, there were other things, such as broadcast rights, to deal with. He also did not appear in the video to be completely sure that Fury and his team were serious. Still, as he put it: “The talks have been quite productive.” If the fight does come to fruition, it would be a major event, especially in Britain, where both men hail from. While Fury is most likely the favorite right now, Joshua is nothing but powerful and determined.
