Eddie Hearn reveals targeted date for Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury undisputed heavyweight clash in 2021

May 2021 is a target date set by Eddie Hearn for the heavyweight clash after positive talks with Bob Arum

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn believes that he has made positive progress in talks with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum in negotiations for an undisputed heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

Anthony Joshua recorded a stoppage victory over Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night , to heighten speculation of the clash being negotiated after both fighters seemed to clear the path for a domestic clash.

Tyson Fury responded by calling out the Watford heavyweight believing that he is ready to take the fight and achieve ultimate supremacy as a heavyweight, and with a bold verdict of stopping Joshua in the first three rounds.

Hearn believes that the fight is getting closer after talks begun with Bob Arum once Joshua had dispatched of Kubrat Pulev in his mandatory defence, and is targeting a date for the fight during May 2021.

He told Sky Sports : "I had a good chat with [Bob Arum] him last night. It's positive.I think we're all in the same position. We want to move forward with the fight, quickly as well, which is good news for fans.

"Just trying to solve any remaining issues of the fight, of which there aren't many, to be honest with you, and try and move forward collectively to let the governing bodies know that we plan to stage this fight probably in May, and we would like this to be for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.

"A few small issues to iron out, but I think we can start look at drawing up contracts and try to get this moving.

"Here on both sides, every member of each team wants to do this fight. We all acknowledge this is the biggest fight in boxing, this is the best fight for both guys. This is for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Why are you in the sport, if you don't want this fight?"

With issues surrounding the WBO enforcing a mandatory challenge for Joshua against Oleksandr Usyk , Hearn has revealed he has appealed to the WBO in an attempt to salvage the belt to put on the line and make the historic bout for the undisputed title.

If you listen to Bob, that's not a problem," said Hearn. "He is a lawyer and he knows his contracts and he tells us that Tyson Fury is contractually free to take any fight he wants.

"I do believe Deontay Wilder is appealing that, in the US courts, but we don't expect that to be a problem.

Ultimately the big issue for Anthony Joshua is he has a WBO mandatory now. We will be writing to the WBO to say you have an opportunity to be part of the biggest fight in boxing. One of the biggest fights in boxing history.

"Oleksandr Usyk is the WBO mandatory, we have to respect that, and the rules as well. We'll be speaking to him to make sure he's happy with a potential resolution.

"But for any reason Tyson Fury can't contractually fight Anthony Joshua, AJ will fight Oleksandr Usyk next.

"For us, Usyk is a great fighter, it's a great fight, there is only one name that we're focusing on and that is Tyson Fury."

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