Anglo-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, has declared his willingness to take a pay cut to breathe life into a potential mega fight with fellow British boxer, Tyson Fury, in the UK, rather than an overseas location.
In 2019, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn negotiated a multi million dollar deal to stage a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia.
It is expected that the same might be on the cards with a location in Asia if the proposed Tyson Fury bout happens next year but Joshua has now declared he’d be open to accepting a reduced prize money to bring the fight home, in front of local fans in the UK.
Asked whether he would take a pay cut to make it happen, Joshua responded: “Yeah, why not?
“I’m now fighting Kubrat Pulev for a massive pay cut. Matchroom are taking pay cuts this year because we have to keep the sport alive.
“We are all doing our part at the minute so I wouldn’t mind doing it again.
“It’s not harming me, and it’s for a bigger cause as well. It’s a big fight, but the main objective is how do we get Fury in the ring?
“My management team are going to do what is financially viable and see what is going to get Fury to step in that ring. It’s a balance.”
At this point however, all hopes for a potential fight between two of Britain’s biggest names in the sport are merely hypothetical.
Joshua must first overcome Pulev in his next fight and then close a deal with Fury before any fight can happen.
Financial terms have reportedly been agreed, but obstacles such as TV Broadcasters remain to be resolved.
Also, Joshua being open to taking a pay cut gives no guarantee that Fury will welcome the idea of staging a potential fight in the UK.
“You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Joshua continued.
“The main objective is getting this fight done, but there is definitely the element that the fans are the most important and getting them together to watch a British classic.
“What finances can we gather to get Fury in the ring? It’s a tough one but I would definitely go for the fans this time around,” he concluded.
I hate that boxing matches take so long and cost so much to fix. Like, why can’t we have major fights like once a month?!
And he’ll eventually lose to fury..
???
Word!