Eddie Hearn has revealed his ambitious proposals to host a six-week boxing extravaganza when the sport is given the go-ahead to return in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Matchroom Boxing chief hopes to stage the grand event when the British Boxing Board of Control believes that the necessary medical facilities will be able to be provided.
However, despite uncertainty surrounding the sport, Hearn insists that several shows are bound to be held across a six-week slugfest schedule and provide a ‘unique environment’ for both fighters and boxing viewers.
Anthony Joshua's heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev has already been postponed having been scheduled for June 20. Fellow Brit Tyson Fury’s trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder potentially moves from its original July 25 date to later in the calendar year.
But, Hearn is adamant boxing can resume at the start of June.
Speaking to the Daily Star, the 40-year-old said: “I feel that June is still in the balance but we are working towards boxing behind closed doors for the end of June or early July.
“We are in the process of building a unique environment for boxing to return.
“That will be our own environment that we will self create for a period of probably between four and six weeks. We will stage a number of shows.
“It's definitely a unique project. There is a lot of work to be done and don't want to give too much away to competitors.
“It will be a unique environment that will focus on the safety of the boxers, focus on delivering fights for the boxers and delivering unique TV content for our broadcasters.
“We don't want to take any chances though. For the sake of a few months we are not going to put people at risk of contracting an illness which could potentially be fatal so we won't do it unless it is safe.”
However, there are reportedly no plans for Joshua's highly-anticipated showdown with Pulev to be made part of the spectacle.
SunSport reported how AJ would fight Fury behind closed doors, taking a hit of around £6.5million, if it meant catching the Gypsy King before he retires.
If Joshua can dismantle mandatory challenger Pulev, along with undefeated British heavyweight Fury avoiding the Wilder trilogy, AJ will joyfully accept a blow in his pocket to land one of his main rivals.
When his US broadcaster DAZN asked about fighting without the huge ticket sales windfall, AJ said: “100 per cent I would fight for $8m less, 100 per cent I would take the opportunity to fight at the drop of a hat.”