Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury will NOT take place in the UK as Saudi offer twice the money, says promoter Eddie Hearn

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S Battle of Britain against Tyson Fury is set to land in Saudi Arabia - because they can make twice the money.

Joshua, 30, was beaten by underdog challenger Andy Ruiz Jr, also 30, in New York in June but avenged the defeat six months later on Saudi Araban soil.

And if the unified champion was to fight English rival Fury he could well end up making another 4,000 mile trip as the purse to fight in the Middle East is “double” what either heavyweight could earn at home.

The Gypsy King, 31, himself competed in a WWE pay-per-view event Riyadh at the end of October.

And promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the Saudi government will be desperate to pay the big bucks to prize back Joshua and Fury to boost their tourism numbers.

Hearn told : “The government here don’t invest in bringing mega-events to the UK - they don’t necessarily need to.

“They’ve got a Premier League football game every weekend, selling 50,000-80,000 [tickets].

“But other countries, whether it’s Nigeria, whether it’s Congo, whether it’s China, whether it’s Saudi, whether it’s Qatar, whether it’s Abu Dhab - their government and their tourism department has a huge pot of money [with which] they’re looking to bring major events, entertainment and acts to showcase their country to the world as a tourism destination.

“Someone just messaged me last night saying: ‘For f***’s sake Eddie, [Joshua vs Fury in] Saudi Arabia? Who cares about the money? You’re so greedy, just do it in England.’

“Do you think I go up to the guys and say: ‘Guys, you can make $150million (£115m) each to do it in Saudi or $40m (£30m) in the UK?’

“It doesn’t work like that, have a brain. If it was the difference of $10m each, but it’s not - it’s double to go somewhere else.

“And it can’t be ignored. Especially a fight like that. It’s a one-off.”

Joshua is expected to defend his WBA, IBF and WBO belts against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, 38, in May, with the destination of the fight being the only hold up.

Fury, meanwhile, rematches WBC king Deontay Wilder, 34, on February 22 in Las Vegas with the rivals signed off for a trilogy bout afterwards.

AJ also has been mandated by the WBO to face Oleksandr Usyk, meaning with Joshua and Fury having their next to fights all but sealed, the all-British clash in the desert will be shelved at least until the end of 2020 or start of 2021.