ANTHONY JOSHUA says he would take a pay cut to fight Tyson Fury in the UK.
First up for the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champ is a world title defence against Kubrat Pulev on December 12.
Joshbua, who bumped into Fury this summer out in Marbella, wants the Battle of Britain on home soilCredit: Refer to Caption
Provided he navigates his way past the veteran Bulgarian, an undisputed clash against WBC king Fury is on the horizon.
Mega-money offers to stage that fight will come in from the likes of America, the Middle East and even China.
But Joshua, who will see his fight purse for the Pulev scrap significantly reduced due to coronavirus restrictions, seems keen to get the Fury fight on home soil.
The 31-year-old said: “Yeah, why not? Now I’m fighting Kubrat Pulev for a massive pay cut.
“We have to keep the sport alive, Matchroom are taking pay cuts this year, we have to keep the sport alive.
“We are all doing our part at the minute, It’s all experience. We are doing it now so I wouldn’t mind doing it again.
“It’s not harming me, and it’s for a bigger cause as well, it’s a massive cause and a big fight but the main objective is how do we get Fury in the ring.”
Only 1,000 fans will be allowed into Wembley Arena to watch Joshua take on Puelv.
Joshua is preparing for his world title defence against Kubrat Pulev on December 12Credit: AFP – Getty
The Brit is losing out on around £8m from not having the scrap at a sold-out stadium.
For his last fight, rematch revenge against Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in December last year, talkSPORT reports that AJ made between £40-£60m.
He is believed to have coined around £18m for the pair’s first fight that he lost by KO in June 2019 in New York.
Joshua will be the first star to fight in front of a crowd since the coronavirus pandemic struck.
And the 31-year-old reckons the drastic change in scenery and atmosphere might be a nice switch from the rowdy festival feel he has generated all over the country.
“The last time I would have fought in front of a small crowd, I think it was Hungary in 2012. It was quite decent, you know. It is not bad. The pressure is off, you can get in your rhythm.
“And I think I need that sometimes – I am under a lot of pressure. I am physically good but mentally you have to stay strong.
“This year has been good to unload a lot of pressure and fighting in front of 1000 fans is not so bad. You have to take it as a positive and control what you can control.”
Anthony Joshua to fight Kubrat Pulev in front of 1,000 fans at Wembley
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
