Hearn Sees Saudi Arabia Beating Out UK To Secure Joshua-Fury

Last month, Anthony Joshua traveled to Saudi Arabia to get revenge, when he outboxed Andy Ruiz over twelve rounds to recapture the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight titles.

Saudi Arabia dropped down a heavy amount of money to beat out all of the possible locations and venues who were trying very hard to secure the Joshua-Ruiz rematch.

At the moment, Saudi Arabia has continued to flex a massive wallet as the country pursues numerous mega-fights that are being discussed for the future.

The biggest fight to be made in the UK market is a heavyweight showdown between Joshua and domestic rival Tyson Fury.

Fury will challenge WBC champion Deontay Wilder on February 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Joshua has two mandatory defenses on his plate - against IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev and the WBO's top challenger Oleksandr Usyk.

If they both continue to win, Joshua and Fury could potentially collide in the ring.

Eddie Hearn, the promoter for Joshua, believes Saudi Arabia could easily beat out the UK to secure the rights to that contest.

"I can’t see [Joshua-Fury landing in the UK]. For me, it should happen in the UK. And if there’s a way to do it we’ll do it. But do you think I can go up to the guys and say, 'you can make £150 million each to do it in Saudi or £40 million in the UK?' It doesn’t work like that," Hearn explained to IFL TV.

"If it was the difference of £10 million each that’s different, but it’s not, it’s double to go somewhere else, and it can’t be ignored. Especially with a fight like that, it’s a one-off. Prince Khalid loves his boxing and that’s one of the reasons why we’re in the relationship, and there’s going to be many, many more. It’s big plans now for Saudi. The first one was so successful that it’s really the go ahead to do three or four more in 2020."