ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to be left on the heavyweight sidelines following the news that Deontay Wilder is intent on fighting Tyson Fury.
AJ has been ordered to face IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev as soon as coronavirus allows, but had been keen to pursue an undisputed showdown with the Gypsy King.
Anthony Joshua had been chasing an all-British showdown with Tyson FuryCredit: PA:Press Association/PA Images
The Gypsy King beat Deontay Wilder for the WBC title earlier this yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Yet the only way that could happen was if the Bulgarian veteran and the Bronze Bomber could be persuaded to sideline their title aspirations.
But Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has KO’d the idea of Wilder taking step aside money and is desperate to complete his trilogy with Fury.
When asked on the prospect of the American taking the offer to bow out, he told iFL TV: “Absolutely none.
“Wilder wants to fight Fury again. He’s not indicated to us or anybody else that he would be willing to step aside.
“A further question is who is going to pay him to step aside?
“And, anyone on our staff has not even raised the possibility with us.
Wilder wants to fight Fury again. He’s not indicated to us or anybody else that he would be willing to step aside
“So as far as we’re concerned, we’re thinking ahead to a third Fury – Wilder fight.
“We’re Pulev’s co-promoter and nobody has discussed with us a step-aside [payment].
“I speak with authority on this because of my relationship with Pulev and my role in Fury and Wilder, there has been absolutely no discussions by anybody about either of those guys [Wilder or Pulev] stepping aside.”
Arum also believes any fights scheduled for this summer, including Wilder and Fury, plus Joshua’s contest against Pulev, will be delayed.
He added: “I think scheduling for July is a bit optimistic, I don’t think we’re going to be able to get clearance to have spectators at the event in July.
“I think that that fight would go over into the fall as well as the Fury – Wilder fight which we’re now looking at October.
“I think that fights play out the way many people think and Joshua and Fury are the winners, they’ll fight some time next year.
“No great catastrophe if they don’t fight in December and fight in January or February 2021.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
