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ANTHONY JOSHUA's highly anticipated clash with Tyson Fury is closer to becoming a reality.
Broadcaster DAZN is reportedly closing in on a deal that would see promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn come under the same banner.
The streaming service is confident of sealing a long-term deal with Queensberry Promotions, according to The Times.
The report has suggested that Warren's company could have the deal in place in weeks.
It is said that it would be a "seismic shift" in the world of boxing with Hearn's Matchroom Boxing having a deal with DAZN since 2021.
Joshua is the star of Matchroom Boxing and has signed a career-long deal with DAZN as well as holding equity in the broadcaster.
Fury is promoted by Warren, meaning the deal would see the two boxers are aligned to the same service.
Queensberry had been contracted to TNT Sports but that deal will expire in 2025.
The new deal with DAZN would come into place once that has expired.
It would also make the streaming service the "home of UK boxing".
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DAZN has previously sub-licensed TV deals with TNT and Sky Sports in order to make the most from pay-per-view fights.
This was the case for bouts involving both Fury and Joshua in Saudi Arabia.
Will AJ vs Fury actually happen?
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SunSport boxing correspondent Wally Downes Jr answers the big questions around Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury finally facing each other...
Could we finally see Fury vs AJ this year?
Simply: Yes.
Before the Saudi takeover of boxing - spearheaded by Turki Alalshikh, would we have seen Fury vs Francis Ngannou, AJ vs Ngannou, Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker, Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn working together and shaking hands for photos?
Simply: No.
The rules, rankings, sanctioning bodies and broadcast and promotional disputes are all irrelevant when this much money is thrown at prize fighting.
How would it work?
It feels like the winner of Fury vs Usyk on May 18 will fight AJ as soon after as possible.
There is a rematch clause in the current deal for Britain’s WBC champ and Ukraine’s WBA, IBF and WBO king to meet and decide the first undisputed ruler for 25 years.
But it seems certain the belts will fragment afterwards - with a string of mandatory challengers due their crack at the four separate belts - so the clamour for AJ vs the winner might be bigger than the demand for a rerun for fewer belts.
Where would it happen?
It feels like every major fight is now going to happen in Saudi Arabia.
But don’t rule out a potential Fury vs Ngannou clash taking place at Wembley stadium.
It seems like the Saudis are keen to eventually host shows in the UK and that fight, at the home of football, would be some debut.
If Usyk topples the Gypsy King then the hype for him to face AJ for a third time will be far less intense.
Why this time?
It feels like we have twice come close to seeing the clash but there were simply too many hurdles and disputes in the way - similar to the way AJ vs Wilder still hasn’t happened.
But with Alalshikh now making Hearn’s Matchroom and Warren’s Queensberry play nice and letting Sky Sports, TNT and DAZN share the shows, there is far less to fight over in the boardroom and loads on to battle for in the ring.
And if Fury beats Usyk and rightfully demands a huge percentage of an overdue Joshua meeting, then the Saudi’s have the cash and the clout to hand him 99 per cent of the pie - to massage his ego and bank balance - and hand AJ as much extra dough as needed to keep everyone sweet.
Who wins?
If Fury sets up an AJ clash by beating Oleksandr Usyk - the mathematics and stats make it clear only a maniac would back Joshua to triumph in the all-English clash.
Usyk dominated AJ over two one-sided fights, on foreign soil.
The Watford man has enjoyed a spike in form and respect since linking up with new trainer Ben Davison but a 20st 6ft 9in Fury - who has just slayed the gap-toothed southpaw - would be almost invincible.
But in any major football derby or cup final the formbook is often aimed out of the window. And perhaps a rejuvenated hungry AJ could be too much for an undisputed and fulfilled Fury to handle.
Fury is in action this year as he is expected to fight Oleksandr Usyk in December in Saudi Arabia.
The Gypsy King lost to the Ukranian in May in what was his first defeat of his professional career.
Joshua, meanwhile, will take on fellow British fighter Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September.
The two will battle for the IBF heavyweight title that was vacated by Usyk.
This could then potentially see Fury face Joshua in 2025 in what would be one of the most exciting British boxing fights in history.
However, it is not yet known whether the historic fight would be in Riyadh or London.
Inside the Gypsy King's royal court
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TYSON FURY is one of the biggest characters in sport.
The two-time heavyweight champion is not known for pulling his punches and lets both his fists and mouth do the talking.
Fury has seven children with wife Paris and recently hinted another is on the way.
Their family life is set to hit the screen again with season two of At Home With The Furys being filmed for Netflix.
The Gypsy King is Love Island star Tommy's older brother.
He is heading for a £200million showdown with bitter rival Anthony Joshua and on track to become boxing's first billionaire.
But daughter Venezuela has taken a cheeky pop at her dad for his bargain-hunting ways.
Despite boasting a monster car collection, he can often be seen pottering around town in a VERY modest motor.
Fury has opened up on his mental health struggles and shared insights into the diet behind his incredible body transformations.
As well as his talents in the ring, the Morecambe mauler is known for serenading fans in the ring and incredible bespoke, and sometimes tongue-in-cheek, fight-week suits.
Check out all our latest Tyson Fury stories.