...By Henry George for TDPel Media.
In the coming weeks, officials from Saudi Arabia are expected to make offers to top heavyweight boxers for a tournament that may take place this winter.
Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and Oleksandr Usyk are reportedly among the boxers who will receive offers.
The tournament aims to finally get an undisputed heavyweight champion for the first time since Lennox Lewis reigned in 1999.
Skills Challenge, who run boxing events in Saudi, are planning to invite the fighters’ representatives for talks in the next month.
However, Fury claimed the rumours are “BS” on social media earlier this week, but this is because he has not yet been engaged in talks with them.
Fighters can take bouts in the meantime but they will be warned of the risks if they lose belts.
Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts, is due for a mandatory defense against Daniel Dubois, which is in negotiations for this summer.
Boxers May Opt for Warm-Up Bouts Before Heavyweight Tournament
Fury has no such pressures on him but may opt for a warm-up bout as he has not boxed since December.
Joshua has stated that he will not fight until December, but promoter Eddie Hearn is still hopeful he can get his man in action again this summer, with Dillian Whyte still a potential opponent.
Zhilei Zhang, who beat Joe Joyce to become No 1 with the WBO over the weekend, is set for a rematch with the British heavyweight.
The latter is expected to trigger the clause in the contract, despite his sixth-round stoppage.
The Potential Tournament Worth and Obstacles to Overcome
Hearn has hinted that the tournament could be worth around £400m, but individual purses would be under the £100m mark.
The organisers would prefer Fury to face Usyk and Joshua against Wilder, but they are open to negotiating that.
Joshua against Fury would bring the biggest UK TV audience, and that may get broadcasters on board.
However, there are still many obstacles to overcome, including Joshua’s long-term deal with DAZN, an exclusive broadcast contract.
Fury will also have to be convinced to take part in the tournament if it gets the green light.
Commentary:
The possibility of a heavyweight boxing tournament in Saudi Arabia has been stirring up buzz for some time now.
Officials from the Gulf state are reportedly set to make offers to top heavyweight boxers like Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and Oleksandr Usyk, with the aim of finally getting an undisputed heavyweight champion.
This would be a significant event in the sport, as the last time there was an undisputed heavyweight champion was back in 1999, when Lennox Lewis reigned supreme.
Although Fury dismissed the rumours as “BS” on social media, this is because he has not yet engaged in talks with Saudi officials.
Fighters are allowed to take bouts in the meantime, but they will be warned of the risks they face if they lose their belts.
Usyk is currently due for a mandatory defense against Daniel Dubois, which is in negotiations for this summer.
Before the heavyweight tournament, fighters may opt for warm-up bouts.
Fury has not boxed since December and may consider a warm-up bout, while Joshua has stated that he will not fight until December, but his promoter is hopeful that he can get his man in action again this summer.
While Joshua against Fury would bring in the largest UK TV audience, there are still many obstacles to overcome, including Joshua’s long-term deal with DAZN, which is an exclusive broadcast contract.
Fury will also have to be convinced to take part in the tournament if it gets the green light.
