Frank Warren is ‘optimistic’ the contracts for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua will be signed on Monday but admits the dispute over broadcasters could be a ‘stumbling block’
- Tyson Fury set a deadline of Monday for Anthony Joshua to sign the contracts
- Boxing promoter Frank Warren is hopeful the contracts will be signed on Monday
- But, he has said the broadcasters could present a stumbling block for the deal
- Meanwhile, Eddie Hearn has said the contracts will not be signed on Monday
Boxing promoter Frank Warren is hopeful the contracts for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua will be signed on Monday after the Gypsy King set AJ a deadline for the deal.
Fury said he was tired of setting contractual deadlines and told Joshua’s team he would proceed with a different opponent if AJ did not agree to terms by Monday.
Warren is ‘optimistic’ that the fight will be confirmed on Monday but he did share his concerns over the broadcaster rights and hinted that could be the only stumbling block.
Boxing promoter Frank Warren is hopeful the contracts for Fury vs AJ will be signed on Monday
Fury’s fights are broadcast on BT Sport and ESPN in America, while Joshua’s fights are shown exclusively on streaming app DAZN.
Speaking to BBC Sport about the contracts, Warren said: ‘We are meeting on Monday and I am hoping on Monday we will get it over the line.
‘I don’t think there are a lot of issues. The only thing I think I can hold it up at the moment is the broadcasters. BT are on board to do it so I am sure we can get it over the line.’
When asked whether he was confident if the fight would go ahead, Warren said he was an ‘optimist’ and that he was hopeful they would announce it on Monday.
AJ has until Monday to sign the contract or Fury will proceed with finding a different opponent
Fury shared the video of fans at his show chanting for Anthony Joshua to ‘sign the contract’
Warren said: ‘I am an optimist. AJ said he wants to fight and if he tell his team I want the fight it will happen.
‘We’ve agreed the financial terms, we’ve said they can be involved in all the contracts, we’ve said they can be involved in setting the budget for the undercard.
‘We’ve let them into everything. So, there shouldn’t be a reason why it shouldn’t go ahead. This week we’ve got to be announcing something. Definitely this week. I’m hoping by Monday we get it sorted.’
Warren’s comments come after Fury called out Joshua for not signing the contract and presented him with a deadline of Monday to get the deal done.
The Gypsy King said: ‘I was optimistic about three weeks ago but it shouldn’t be taking this long to sign a contract. I’m not waiting around for some guy who has lost three of his last five fights.’
Warren has said issues over the broadcaster for the fight could be the only stumbling block
Eddie Hearn has hit back at Fury for setting a deadline for the contract for the proposed fight
Fury went onto to see a deadline for the contracts to be signed. He said: ‘We’ll know by Monday anyway because if it’s not done by Monday, I’m moving on.’
Fury – who was ringside for Joe Joyce’s victory over Joseph Parker – also said: ‘If he [AJ] don’t sign the contract now, we know he’s a s**thouse’.
He also got his fans to sing: ”AJ is a p****, AJ is a p****, na na na!’ at one of his after dinner shows.
Eddie Hearn has hit back at Fury and Warren – claiming the contracts will not be signed on Monday as ‘there is still a lot to be done’.
Hearn claimed that Fury is instead interested in fighting German heavyweight Mahmoud Charr
Speaking to SecondsOut.com, Hearn said: ‘There is no way this contract gets signed on Monday because there is still a lot to be done.
‘The conversations have been decent and are moving in the right direction, but there is a long way to go.
‘This fight takes time. We waited 10 days to get the contract… all of a sudden he wants it signed in 24 hours. No chance.’
Hearn went on to say: ‘Fury wants to fight Manuel Charr, it’s pretty obvious, and the public are not the brightest if they actually think otherwise. If he comes out with statements like that… we’ll see.
‘Guess what? The fight isn’t getting signed on Monday. So if you want to walk away from that, while we are all trying to make it – including your promo team – off you go.’