Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury's long-awaited clash is close to becoming a reality, according to Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hearn gave an update on the progress of the deal in discussion with Sky Sports during the broadcast for Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA"You heard from Frank Warren last night, who said quite rightly, last night we received the contracts from the Middle East," Hearn said.
"All sides lawyers have got to go through that and make sure they are happy with it.
"But we are all systems go. This fight is on, this fight is happening."
Bob Arum, promoter for Top Rank, had declared the fight "dead in the water" in conversation with The Telegraph earlier this week.
Hearn dismissed Arum's comments and reiterated his belief that the fight will be officially be announced in the coming days.
File photo dated 07-12-2019 of Anthony Joshua after reclaiming the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship belts from Andy Ruiz (not pictured) at the Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia."As I told everyone last week, back and forwards with the drafts," Hearn said.
"I believe you will all get an announcement next week. I don't know what else to tell you.
"I saw Bob Arum's comments, 'The fight is dead'. I don't know where that came from. We know what we are doing and that's now been acknowledged by the other side, which is nice."
The negotiations for Joshua and Fury have been anything but smooth, which is understandable due to the lucrative nature of the bout.
Hearn pointed to the drawn-out nature of the discussions that took place in the lead-up to Floyd Mayweather's clash with Manny Pacquiao in 2015 when pressed on the slow pace of the negotiations between Joshua and Fury.
File photo dated 27-05-2019 of Anthony Joshua (left) and promoter Eddie Hearn."It is a process that has to go through our legal team," Hearn said.
"Obviously from their side, that's three or four other parties. Their individual lawyer's want to look at it as well.
"By tomorrow evening, everyone's comments will be back on the long-form agreement.
"I remember with Mayweather-Pacquiao, it went on, and on, and on. That fight happened when those guys weren't in their prime.
"Right now, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are in the absolute primes of their careers. You will get this fight next, and you will get it for the undisputed world championship.
"We cannot move any quicker."
The fight is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia, the state that hosted Joshua's second bout with Andy Ruiz in December 2019.
Fury's last victory came via TKO stoppage over Deontay Wilder in February 2020, while Joshua's last outing took place last December. On that occasion, Joshua stopped Kubret Pulev by knockout.
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