Bob Arum reveals plans for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua undercard after positive talks with Eddie Hearn

Bob Arum reveals talks are progressing well for Fury vs Joshua and is planning cross-over undercard fights

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has revealed that talks are progressing very well between him and Eddie Hearn for the undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and is planning an exciting idea for the undercard to the huge event.

Negotiations are ongoing between the two camps and there are increasing hopes that a deal can be secured for the middle of 2021 pending a suitable venue.

Arum confirmed that talks had been successful so far, and is confident that the card will be historical with Eddie Hearn suggesting crossover promotional fights on the undercard to increase the magnitude of the event.

He told Sky Sports: "We talked about the undercard and Eddie made a really good suggestion – that we have Matchroom fighters against fighters from our side.That would be pretty good. It would be interesting. 

"I don’t want to make a deadline, but I just can report that everything so far has been going splendidly and we hope to have a signed document within the next couple of weeks. That might not provide for a site, because we can have a document that the fighters would have signed and then have a mutual agreement clause of the site.

“We’re all on the same page, as far as I can see."

The 89-year-old also backed Tyson Fury to win the fight against Anthony Joshua by stoppage and is confident that the fight will more than likely take place this year after many years of stop-start negotiations.

"I’m 95 per cent confident the fight happens, and I’m 100 per cent confident that my guy wins, and wins by knockout.”

Eddie Hearn revealed from his side of the negotiations, that he too is confident that the fight can take place this year and is excited at the prospect of the deal being definitively signed after previous turmoil with big fights.

“I don’t want to say too much, other than we’re going well. We’re now papering the fight, in terms of the contracts, a period of the fight, and looking out now in the next stages to go to the different various sites that have made offers and discuss the fight and the date with them.

“All I want to tell you really is we’re on track and I don’t see anything derailing it.

“We’re talking to Saudi Arabia, we’re talking to Qatar, we’re talking to Dubai, we’re talking to Singapore, we’re talking to China, we’re talking to America.”

Tyson Fury currently goes into the potential clash as the bookies odds-on favourite to take the victory over Anthony Joshua, with Saudi Arabia the current favourite to host the event after issues with the UK have arisen as a result of the pandemic.

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