ANTHONY JOSHUA could fight Tyson Fury next in a monster, all-British heavyweight unification fight in the UK due to coronavirus.
That’s the verdict of top promoter Bob Arum.
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Joshua could face Fury next in the UK due to coronavirus, says Arum
Fury is set to face American Deontay Wilder in the third fight of their trilogy after the Bronze Bomber invoked his rematch clause.
But with coronavirus shutting down borders, a fight between the boxers on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean looks unlikely.
Arum – Fury’s US-based Top Rank promoter – said: “With or without audiences, we can’t do [the third fight] while Fury can’t get back into the United States due to the travel ban.
“Wilder couldn’t get into England either.”
When asked if the enforced travel ban meant Fury may fight fellow Brit Joshua instead, Arum replied: “Everything is possible.
“We are all operating in territory where nobody has experience. I’m 88 but I’ve never had the experience to deal with this. We’re feeling our way.
“But everything is possible and nothing is off the table. We have to sit and discuss this, to figure out how to move into the future.
“I can’t predict when Fury vs Wilder will take place or if it will happen.
“Everybody in the UK wants to see the two Brits fighting, Fury and Joshua.
“When can that happen? I don’t know. I also promote Kubrat Pulev and we’re talking next week to Eddie Hearn about how to do [Joshua vs Pulev].”
Arum continued by saying there is no way Wilder vs Fury could take place behind closed doors – simply due to the amount of money they would lose out on.
He said: “This is not a normal situation where the promoter has all the answers.
“If we do fights without audiences, how do you do Fury vs Wilder without an audience?
“The live gate for the last fight accounted for almost $17m (£13.6m). How do you replace that?
“Hopefully by the winter they will allow people to attend sporting events.”
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Should Fury and Joshua get into the ring together, it wouldn’t be for the first time.
The pair once sparred together, in 2010 when the Gypsy King was 22 years old and preparing to face Derek Chisora for the first time – with Joshua a 20-year-old amateur.
Soon after their spar, in a candid interview with journalist Steve Bunce, Fury admitted Joshua “gave me a beating” for three rounds.
Anthony Joshua shows his class by handing out gifts in Nigeria and pays tribute to NHS heroes fighting coronavirus
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
