WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury 30-0-1 (21) is holding out hope his proposed fight against WBA, WBO and IBF champion Anthony Joshua 24-1 (22) can be finalised this week.
The four-belt unification bout has been agreed to, but the date and venue are yet to be determined.
It is believed the fight will land in the Middle East in July after lucrative offers to host the bout were made by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai.
Joshua, 31, has already fought in Saudi Arabia when he got his revenge against lone conqueror Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019. In his most recent outing he knocked out Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds in London last December.
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Fury is getting itchy feet after sitting on the sidelines for more than a year following his seventh-round knockout victory of previously undefeated American power-puncher Deontay Wilder 42-1 (41) to claim the WBC belt in February last year.
Fury has oscillated between confidence the Joshua fight will happen and scepticism whether it will ever take place.
“I’m waiting. There’s a few good offers on the table, I’ve been told, from a few different countries, which is exciting news for me. I’ve always been quite sceptical about it all,” Fury told Behind the Gloves.
“Like before, I’ve been told there’s quite a lot of big offers on the table, from a few major players, so very interested and excited to finally hear what they are and to see if they are one, feasible and two, can make it happen in whatever country wins the bid for it.
“We have to go to Monday, Tuesday by the latest. If I don’t know anything by Tuesday, I’m just going to move on, because it’s been a long time in the making. Now finally the offers are on the table. We’ll go through them and take the best one.”
The agreement calls for two fights to take place this calendar year.
“I think it will 100 percent happen. One million percent happen. I think we’re going to know within the next couple of days – what, where, when,” Fury said.
“I’m pretty confident this fight is going to get made in the next few days, because from what I’ve heard, there are some big players involved and there’s some big offers come in from very rich people and very rich countries. I’m sure that they’re going to be very good offers.”
Earlier in the week Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said final sign-off was very close.
“The teams will get together,” the Matchroom Boxing boss said to Sky Sports. “I will try to see [Fury’s co-promoter] Bob Arum on Tuesday. We’re nearly there.
“We have worked really hard and we don’t want to give in.
“We’re in a good place, nice and close. I can’t do any more than I’m doing. People know that we’re on the verge.
“Both guys are desperate to get moving. Joshua wants a date for the start of his camp. This is the sporting event of 2021.
“One lucky site will get good news next week and the whole world will stop to watch this fight.”
