BOXING’s biggest fight Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury could take place TWICE next year.
Joshua and Fury have been back and forth over a potential mega-clash for years and finally the stars look to be aligning.
Anthony Joshua will face Kubrat Pulev on December 12 in LondonCredit: PA:Press Association
AJ must first beat Kubrat Pulev on December 12 before throwing himself into an incredibly lucrative 2021.
Fury, on the other hand, still looks to be waiting for a ruling from a judge on Deontay Wilder’s demand for a trilogy rematch.
When could Joshua vs Fury happen?
While there’s no definitive date as of yet, May or June 2021 seem to be the two dates being floated around by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Fury and Joshua both verbally agreed a two-fight deal to take place next year, during the summer.
Anthony Joshua is in peak physical condition ahead of the Pulev clash
It was expected that Joshua and Fury would fight after respective fights with Pulev and wilder.
But Fury’s clash with Wilder doesn’t look to be happening, so the Gypsy King could go straight into a Joshua fight having not fought for at least 15 months.
Where will the fight take place?
Much has been made of the potential venue for Joshua vs Fury, with both the UK and the Middle East in the running,
Joshua told SunSport in an exclusive interview earlier this week that he’d be willing to take a pay cut in order for the fight to happen in Britain.
Wembley Stadium would be the ideal venue to hold the mega-fight, but countries such as Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are all looking to invest heavily in big boxing events.
Anthony Joshua fought his last bout in Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA
Tyson Fury stopped Deontay Wilder in the seventh round of their February boutCredit: AP:Associated Press
Saudi Arabia hosted Joshua’s last fight with Andy Ruiz Jr last December.
“Yeah, why not? Now I’m fighting Kubrat Pulev for a massive pay cut,” he said.
“We have to keep the sport alive, Matchroom are taking pay cuts this year, we have to keep the sport alive.
“We are all doing our part at the minute, It’s all experience. We are doing it now so I wouldn’t mind doing it again.
“It’s not harming me, and it’s for a bigger cause as well, it’s a massive cause and a big fight but the main objective is how do we get Fury in the ring.”
What about mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk?
One thing that stands in the way of a Joshua vs Fury clash is AJ’s WBO mandatory title challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
The Ukrainian just outpointed Derek Chisora and has said he will NOT be taking a step-aside fee to let Fury and Joshua battle it out for all of the belts.
And even Joshua thinks he’s more likely to face Usyk than Fury next.
“I go off people who are serious. If Fury is serious and keen then the fight will happen,” he told ESPN.
Oleksandr Usyk is Anthony Joshua’s WBO mandatory challengerCredit: USA TODAY Sports
“Honestly, I’m keen to test myself. He’s supposed to have the real boxing IQ, so it’s going to be a really good challenge.
“I’m keen to compete with him, no problem. But whether he’s ready, that’s a whole other story because of the issues he faces during his career.
“I don’t know what will happen in 2021 but if I was to bet all my money on it I would say Usyk because he is with Matchroom, straightforward fight, and his track record shows when he says he is going to fight someone, he does.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
