Eddie Hearn, promoter for IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, has received an unexpected bid to secure the hosting rights to the unification with WBC champion Tyson Fury.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that both Fury and Joshua have signed their respective portions of a two-fight agreement.
Hearn would not reveal the investor, but hints at a party from the Far East coming to the table.
"I had an approach yesterday [on Wednesday], not from the Middle East, but it was the most bizarre approach. I can't say who it was but it was from a very wealthy individual and he wants to do something very special. We've had 20 approaches for this fight but you know which ones are serious," Hearn said.
"But this one was just well out there. And it's a realistic option, money is not an issue with this guy. Commercially it's a bit strange, but it's not about that. It's a trophy asset to say... 'this is the biggest event in the world'. And that's the mindset of an individual who wants to bring it to his own country. It's not about selling tickets, it's not about government investment... it would him be saying 'I'd be paying for it'.
"There's a number for the fight, you hit the number, you get the fight and the number was not an issue for this individual. Saudi have paid the site fee before, we've worked together before, it's not complicated, it's just about tying up the dates, but this offer is a bit different. All I will say is it's in Asia. Not Macau but not far away."
Contrary to circulating reports, Hearn says the contest is still being targeted to take place in June or July.
The goal, says Hearn, is to stage both contests in 2021.
Both sides want the first bout to take place sooner than later to avoid any potential issues - like the WBO ordering Joshua to fight their mandatory challenger, Oleksandr Usyk.
"I see some of the comments saying the sites might prefer the fight in November or December. Of course. But that is not what is on the table, that's not what we are pitching. If the question comes back 'Can we do it later in the year?' The answer is no. That's the date," Hearn said.
"Otherwise the WBO belt becomes an issue again, something else happens. Fury might turn around and say he needs another fight. The absolute focus is June or July. If there's a site that says another date then you're out. Joshua speaks to Saudi and they've told him 'we're doing the fight'. He could not care less where this fight is, he just wants the fight. He said he'd do it in my back garden. He loves Saudi, he loved the setup, that would be the preference if we were going to the Middle East. And they want to do the undisputed, that's the message from them."