ANTHONY JOSHUA slammed Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk over their failed undisputed title showdown talks – calling it a “shambles”.
Negotiations between Fury and Usyk broke down as they couldn’t reach an agreement regarding a fight on April 29 at Wembley Stadium.
The Ukrainian heavyweight surprisingly agreed to take just 30 per cent of the pot for the first bout, but wanted a 50/50 split in the rematch.
But that was something the Gypsy King reportedly refused to agree to as the teams could not come to a mutual agreement.
Joshua, who is set to lock horns with Jermaine Franklin this Saturday at the O2 Arena, didn’t hold back on his criticism.
AJ insists he is happy to be back in action because he believes the situation at the top of the heavyweight division has become unacceptable.
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Joshua said: “I’m so happy I’m fighting again because as I’m looking at the champions, it’s just a shambles.
“When you’re trying to compete mandatories or negotiations… Honestly, I just can’t believe that no fights have been made at championship level.
“But I’m just so happy that I can get back to work and get on with my job.
“I’m looking forward to this assignment and I can’t wait. Honestly, I’m really looking forward to it.”
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Some fans agree with Joshua and took to social media to praise the British star.
They claimed the 33-year-old is “spitting facts” and is the only heavyweight that dares to step inside the ring.
One fan tweeted: “Used to be team Fury. Now I support Joshua. Only real HW [heavyweight] who will fight anyone.
Another posted: “The irony. Meanwhile AJ is fighting some nobody.”
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A third commented: “AJ only heavyweight who fights everyone.”
This fan said: “AJ spitting facts, just make the fights happen man and that’s exactly what AJ does.”
And that one wrote: “Boxing’s been a shambles for a few years now i’m afraid!!”
But there are also some who disagree with Joshua and claim he is not on the same level as Fury or Usyk.
This comes after the Watford-born fighter lost both his fights against the Ukrainian and also failed to reach an agreement to fight his fellow Brit.
One supporter commented: “His last 2 fights with Usyk were a shambles as well.”
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Another said: “No a shambles is saying this almost 6 years ago. And not even fought Fury OR [Deontay] Wilder yet…”
A third wrote: “Using Furys name to promote this dead fight…”
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This fan tweeted: “Why worry concentrate on Ur career.”
And that one posted: “Yet he would lose to both of them…”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk