ANTHONY JOSHUA wants Kubrat Pulev to surrender his mandatory world title shot so he can face Tyson Fury in an undisputed decider.
Watford hero AJ, 30, is once again the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion of the world after outpointing Andy Ruiz Jr in December.
Anthony Joshua wants Kubrat Pulev to surrender his mandatory world title shot to free him up to face Tyson Fury in an undisputed deciderCredit: PA:Press Association
The undefeated 31-year-old Gypsy King holds the WBC crown after destroying Deontay Wilder in February.
The 6ft 9in Traveller is contractually tied into a third fight with the American, while Joshua has been ordered into an underwhelming defence against 38-year-old Bulgarian Pulev.
Both Wilder and Pulev could be offered a stepaside fee to forego their fights and allow the all-UK clash to happen, but doubts remain as to whether they would accept it.
But AJ, who failed to land the undisputed clash with Alabama KO artist Wilder in the three years they were simultaneous champs, has admitted that would be his dream scenario.
He said: “It would be amazing to tell Pulev ‘I think it’s best if you step aside for now’ and to tell Wilder ‘we have bigger fish to fry’.
“‘Enjoy your Alabama chicken while we get cracking in the UK’.
“That fight needs to happen because there will never be another time like this again.”
If you really want to say you’re No 1, come fight me. Let’s get it on. I’ve got the rest of the belts so it only makes sense.
Joshua calls out Fury
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn insists he has not offered Pulev a cash incentive to ditch his shot at the two-time champ.
And Wilder, 34, claims he has no interest in accepting a fee to escape another potential pasting from the Morecambe ace.
But Joshua claims a clash between the UK’s two biggest boxing stars is the only way to decide who is the supreme ruler of boxing’s blue riband division.
The Olympic 2012 golden boy told Fury: “If you really want to say you’re No 1, come fight me. Let’s get it on.
“I’ve got the rest of the belts so it only makes sense.
“I’m the unified heavyweight champion of the world, he’s the WBC champion.
“What will it prove, me and him fighting? There will be one dominant figure in the heavyweight division that will have all of the belts and become undisputed.
“Logically to prove yourself as No 1, I have to fight Tyson Fury. He has to fight Anthony Joshua.”
Fury has been doing regular Instagram work-outs at home with wife Paris and their children and has even asked AJ to join in, with no reply.
Josh says he has been using his enforced break from the sport, which cost him his June 20 Pulev clash at Tottenham’s new stadium, to better himself physically and mentally.
And he has warned Fury that the fire in his belly will be “roaring’ once the sport returns.
He said: “Life was moving at such a fast pace before, I couldn’t have time to look back and assess the footsteps I had taken.
“Now I’ve taken time to really look at myself, moving forwards into the next chapter of my career.
“From a mental and physical standpoint, that should put me in good stead because I’m well-rested. My mind is settled, my body is settled.
“When the fire gets going again, it will be a roaring blaze.”
Fury is set to face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy boutCredit: Rex Features
Joshua is the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight championCredit: Lucozade Sport / BEEM
Eddie Hearn poised to take postponed Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora fights abroad due to coronavirus
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
