Report: Joshua, Fury discussing December fight in Saudi Arabia

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are finally discussing a heavyweight unification bout.

Fury, the reigning WBC titleholder, and Joshua, owner of the WBO, IBF, and WBA heavyweight belts, are in discussions for a December fight in Saudi Arabia, sources told Mike Coppinger of The Athletic.

MTK Global is leading the discussions between Fury's and Joshua's camps, according to Coppinger.

However, before the fight can be finalized, a major hurdle in the form of Deontay Wilder must be cleared. "The Bronze Bomber" exercised his rematch clause after losing the WBC title to Fury in February via a seventh-round knockout.

Wilder-Fury 3 was scheduled to take place in July, though it's now been moved back due to the coronavirus pandemic. Top Rank Boxing chairman Bob Arum said this week that the much-anticipated trilogy fight will be delayed until November or December at the earliest.

Wilder's team is being kept in the loop during Fury-Joshua negotiations, and he would have to be paid to step aside for the latter, Coppinger reports.

Joshua regained his three heavyweight belts with a unanimous-decision win over Andy Ruiz Jr. in Saudi Arabia this past December. The 30-year-old owns a 23-1 professional record, with 22 wins via knockout.

Fury's knockout of Wilder was his 30th career win. In March, the 31-year-old said he had only "two fights left" before retirement.