ANTHONY JOSHUA has been urged to take two more “warm-up fights” before pursuing a clash with Tyson Fury.
The Watford warrior re-opened the door for a blockbuster Battle of Britain with his long-time rival after his scrappy points win over Jermaine Franklin last weekend.
But the former unified heavyweight champion’s lacklustre display against the No.34-ranked American has many believing he’s not ready for The Gypsy King – including promoter Eddie Hearn’s dad, Barry.
The Matchroom Boxing founder told iFL TV: “In today’s world, the temptations for making that fight and earning a colossal amount of money may outweigh the old-fashioned common sense of people like me.
“Definitely [two more warm-up fights] – but we live in a commercial world.”
WBC heavyweight king Fury has – somewhat uncharacteristically – yet to comment on Joshua’s uninspiring return to the win column.
READ MORE IN BOXING
But Barry believes he’ll be licking his lips at the prospect of fighting AJ after seeing his display against Franklin.
He said: “I would think that Tyson Fury would look at that performance and say ‘I am ready to fight him’, that takes a big obstacle away.
“He [Joshua] has to decide whether he wants to go for the big payday or if he wants to build and learn for a bit longer, in which case he needs two or three more warm-up fights.
“The public don’t like that, they are crying out for it, is it time to take the money? Maybe.”
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Joshua, 33, has no qualms about taking on Fury next, saying in his post-fight interview: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans.
“I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want? They said Fury?
“The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you’re listening.
“You know my management, you know my promoter.
“We’ve had dialect before, so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger.”
Fury, 34, is currently without a fight following the collapse of his undisputed showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
The pair were due to throw down for the all heavyweight marbles at Wembley on April 29 but Team Usyk pulled the plug on the fight after Fury kept moving the goalposts.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
