Bob Arum explains why Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is NOT ‘real news’ as he mocks AJ for having ’no chin’
Bob Arum believes Anthony Joshua's proposed two-fight deal with Tyson Fury is not 'real news' and stressed the fights would be made when possible.
The boxing world exploded into life in the past week when Eddie Hearn revealed on Sky Sports that a deal had been agreed 'in principle' for the British heavyweights to meet twice in 2021.
Financial terms appeared to have been met, with a 50-50 split for the first fight and then a 60-40 split in favour of the winner for the sequel.
However, Top Rank boss Arum effectively pumped the brakes on the news during an exclusive interview with talkSPORT on Saturday night.
With Joshua still scheduled to defend his world titles against IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev and Fury set to face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy bout, Arum was keen to stress the need for patience.
"I didn't look at it as being real news," Arum told Adam Catterall and Gareth A. Davies on Fight Night.
"Joshua has a fight before the end of the year with my guy - Kubrat Pulev - a very tough Bulgarian.
"And Tyson has a third fight to do with Wilder and that is not an easy fight.
"So again, sure, if they come through those fights why wouldn't we get together and do a two-fight deal for Fury and Joshua?"
Although the precise details of the rumoured two-fight deal remain somewhat unclear, the outcome, at least according to Arum, is in no doubt.
Having watched 'The Gypsy King' scythe through Tom Schwarz in two rounds in his Las Vegas debut, before returning to Sin City to stop Wilder, Arum is well aware of the Brit's brawn.
And since Fury signed his co-promotional deal to work alongside Arum and Frank Warren, Joshua suffered a debilitating defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr - which the 88-year-old believes highlighted a serious issue.
"Joshua has a chinny chin chin," Arum continued. "And if he got knocked out by Andy Ruiz, who can't punch...
"Look at Andy's record; he fought all of his fights with us."