There is only one thing that could scupper the potential blockbuster bout
ANTHONY JOSHUA vs Tyson Fury is a £200million super-fight that could land at Wembley in September.
Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has bankrolled a brilliant resurgence of the sport, funding and demanding recent bouts between AJ, Fury, Francis Ngannou, Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker.
Anthony Joshua could fight Tyson Fury in SeptemberCredit: Reuters
Fury first faces a fight against Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
Eddie Hearn revealed both fighters could pocket more than £100million from the boutCredit: Alamy
His influence and finances have blown apart the usual excuses for mega-bouts not being made – like broadcast and promotional rights and rows – and allowed Riyadh to host a gluttony of elite pugilism.
Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will decide the first undisputed heavyweight ruler in 25 years on May 18 – with a rematch pencilled in.
And Dymity Bivol and Artur Beterbiev will battle for the same four-belt honour at light-heavy on June 1.
But once summer hits the desert, SunSport understands Alalshikh and the events group Sela – which sponsors Newcastle – will branch out into the UK and that super fight would be a sensational entrance.
And Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn has explained how his man could jump the queue and floor plans for the rerun.
Matchroom boss Hearn told Piers Morgan: “I never thought I would be OK saying I am not the most powerful man in boxing but I am not, Turki Alalshikh is.
“He is the biggest fight fan I have ever met and all he wants is the biggest fights and the biggest moments.
“Fury and Usyk have a two-fight deal.
“But if Tyson Fury beats Oleksandr Usyk in the first fight, the whole world is going to say ‘please don’t do the second fight’.
During the 18 infuriating months Fury and Usyk’s teams thrashed out a two-fight deal – long even before the two postponements – the rematch and the finances around a potential rerun were a nagging issue.
But Alalshikh’s chequebook and influence is laying waste to all of the usual hurdles and stumbling blocks and – as Hearn says – a pesky rematch clause would pose no threat to a record-breaking plan.
When asked what the Fury vs AJ fight will finally be worth – after two failed attempts to negotiate it – Hearn said: “It’s worth north of £100m for each guy.
“It’s the richest fight ever, the biggest fight ever.
“When you talk about the Rumble in the Jungle and you talk about Thrilla in Manilla, nothing will come close to Joshua against Fury.
“Two of the biggest heavyweights in the history of the sport, in the biggest moment for the sport that anyone can remember.
“Not just a generational fight, but a fight across the entire history of the sport, since the Queensberry rules were introduced.”
To watch the full debate, go to the Piers Morgan Uncensored channel on YouTube – www.youtube.com/piersmorganuncensored