Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is unlikely to take place in the UK.
The pair’s first fight, which Usyk won, took place at White Hart Lane, but it doesn’t look like it will be the case this time.
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According to Eddie Hearn, British fight fans may have to head to Saudi Arabia for the spectacular spectacle due in June.
Hearn acknowledged that it would be difficult to organize the fight on home soil as the Middle Eastern nation came up with a proposal that would pay the fighters double the amount.
The Matchroom boss claims he and Joshua would have preferred the fight to take place in the UK.
But he understands why Usyk would prefer to fight in Saudi Arabia for more money since both fighters will get an equal share of the trophies.
Hearn said mirror: “If the contracts and fees that have been offered are realized, it will be very difficult for us to go to the UK to get Usyk to do it, frankly.
“We can see it from their point of view, ‘Why would I go back to England for half the money?’
“We can’t take on a site that pays Usyk significantly less. We want to go to London, it would be a great advantage for AJ to have this fight in London, but if the fee for the site brings in twice as much money, there is no way Usyk will let us go to London.
“So we have to take that into account, but AJ just wants to fight.”
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SunSport reported last month that Usyk’s promoter Oleksandr Krasyuk had touted Saudi Arabia as a possible venue for the fight.
The heavyweight rematch was put on hold after Usyk bravely took up arms to defend Ukraine from a Russian invasion.
But now it has become known that Joshua’s hopes to win back the WBA, WBO and IBF world titles have been renewed after Krasyuk revealed that Usyk is in Europe and is preparing for the fight.
According to Krasyuk, fight fans will have to wait less than two weeks to find out where the fight will take place.