ANTHONY JOSHUA has officially started training for his undisputed heavyweight title fight with Tyson Fury.
The first instalment of the long-awaited Battle of Britain is pencilled in for the summer, with a July date the most likely at this moment in time.
Joshua, 31, has been soaking up the sun in Miami and Mexico ahead of the multi-million-pound fight.
But according to the unified heavyweight champ’s promoter Eddie Hearn, AJ’s preparations for the biggest fight of his career are now underway.
The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “We can’t wait.
“AJ has started his training camp and Fury has been training very hard. They all want the fight.
“They are going to be presented with a few proposals on where to do the fight and everyone has to agree on where to do it.
“There is no other fight out there that comes close for either guy. July is the date.
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“Really I think end of next week it will be done.
“Talks have progressed extremely well and we’re closing in on securing the venue and there will be an announcement in due course.
“We’re at the stage where it’s probably best not to say much more than that.”
Joshua vs Fury may be on course for July, but The Gypsy King’s dad – John – has demanded Hearn book the fight for June.
In a recording posted on social media he said: “This is a video to Eddie Hearn and all his supporters of AJ.
“We’re not bothered about Anthony Joshua one iota. And here’s what you can do – if he wants to fight in June, get it ready for June, Eddie.
“We’ll take him as a warm-up fight, him. We value Anthony Joshua that much we’ll take him as a warm-up fight in June.
“So get your arse in gear, getting everything [that] needs doing done and we’ll take him in June.
“We’ll have the first fight with him.
“Because Tyson is fighting twice this year, but we’d like AJ to be the first on the butcher’s block.
“So get your arse in gear, mate. Wave your magic wand and let’s get this fight started.
“Because nobody is bothered about you or AJ in any way, shape or form.
“AJ, up first, chopping block, June. And if you can’t put up, shut up. Do that.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk