ANTHONY JOSHUA’S chances of an undisputed fight against Tyson Fury this year have taken a hit with Deontay Wilder unwilling to step aside.
Despite being battered into a seventh-round stoppage by Fury in February, Wilder is committed to completing the trilogy against the Gypsy King.
Deontay Wilder, despite being battered by Tyson Fury last time out, wants to complete the trilogyCredit: EPA
Anthony Joshua will defend his heavyweight world titles against Kubrat Pulev nextCredit: PA:Press Association
That is scheduled for July 18, but could be moved to later in the year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Joshua’s own world title fight against Kubrat Pulev has been postponed – it was originally set for June 20 but could also be moved to July.
With questions being asked of both of these fights, the prospect of a Joshua vs Fury scrap for all the belts first started to be discussed.
But according to Fury’s US promotion team, everything is being aimed at Part III against Wilder, with the Gypsy King’s WBC belt back on the line.
AJ TO FOCUS ON PULEV
About the prospect of Wilder stepping aside,Top Rank president Todd DuBoef told Sky Sports: “I have not personally had any conversations about that. It is not on my radar.
“I am working with Wilder’s representatives on coming up with new potential dates in late-summer or early-fall for the Fury fight. We are speaking about potential venues too.
“That fight breaking up as a result of [Joshua vs Fury] fight? I have not been privy to any conversations about that.
“I have not heard that they are willing to step aside. Nobody has communicated that.”
With Fury and Wilder almost certain to happen next, it will leave AJ with a clear path to focus on Pulev and a defence of his WBA, WBO and IBF titles.
The 38-year-old Bulgarian, who announced he will donate half of his £4m purse to the fight against coronavirus, hinted that he expects the heavyweight clash to happen in July.
Pulev posted on Instagram: “Despite humanity’s most difficult fight to date and the underestimation of the effects on the world of the coronavirus, we will be forced to learn to live in a new, not so pleasant, way that millions of people around the world will be mildly unhappy.
“Despite the difficulties, we must find new opportunities to smile, to transform our lives so that despite all the unpleasant things, to remain happy and to believe in a better future, and that all of this is, after all, for good!
“This is exactly why, despite my real view of the situation, I strongly believe that a world title match can be held on the new date of July 25.”
Eddie Hearn announces Joshua vs Pulev postponement as coronavirus outbreak KO’s heavyweight title fight at Tottenham
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
