David Haye, the former two-weight world heavyweight champion, has urged Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to finalize a long-anticipated fight. Haye, a prominent figure in British heavyweight boxing before the rise of Joshua and Fury, believes this match is crucial for both athletes.
Significance of Joshua vs. Fury
Haye emphasized that the bout is the “biggest fight they could both possibly have.” He stated that both fighters need to confront each other for their legacies. “They need to prove that they battled during the same era,” he said.
Current Circumstances of Both Fighters
Both Joshua and Fury recently suffered setbacks, having lost their world titles to Oleksandr Usyk. Fury recently made a comeback after a year-long hiatus, while Joshua is getting back into training following a tragic car accident that took the lives of two close friends.
Ongoing Negotiations for the Fight
- Fury and Joshua’s camps are currently in discussions regarding a potential fight this year.
- Joshua is expected to have a warm-up bout before facing Fury.
- Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that a contract for the fight has been received and is under review.
Potential for Commercial Success
Haye noted that while both boxers may not be in their prime, this fight might occur at their “commercial peak.” He drew parallels with the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao match, which took place much later than expected but proved financially rewarding. “They might earn more money now than they would have earlier,” he added.
Preparation for the Fight
Fury’s recent match against Arslanbek Makhmudov is expected to serve as preparation for the impending Joshua fight. Haye remarked that taking on a similar opponent prepares Fury well. “A nice stepping stone to the big one, which is Anthony Joshua,” he stated.
Haye concluded that both fans and fighters desire this matchup. With the negotiations underway, boxing enthusiasts remain hopeful that the fight will finally materialize.
