ANTHONY JOSHUA has sent a message of ‘appreciation’ to his fans following the collapse of his undisputed heavyweight title fight with Tyson Fury.
AJ’s long-awaited meeting with The Gypsy King – which has been years in the making – was on course to take place in Saudi Arabia on August 14.
But the biggest fight in the history of British boxing collapsed last week when a judge ruled that Deontay Wilder is still contractually entitled to a trilogy fight with Fury.
After the news broke, Joshua was flooded with messages of support from his legion of fans – whom he sent a message to on Sunday night.
He wrote on Instagram: “Nothing lasts forever, so sending a message of appreciation to my supporters whilst it’s on my mind.”
Joshua’s message to his supporters came a few days after he launched a blistering attack on Fury, whom he branded a ‘fraud’.
He tweeted: “@Tyson_Fury the world now sees you for the fraud you are. You’ve let boxing down!
“You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight.
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“Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly.”
After an enraged Fury challenged him to a bare-knuckle fight, Joshua added: “If there was an arbitration going on, why announce to the world we are fighting!
“The fight was signed! UNDISPUTED. Bare knuckle? You’re a good kid, don’t play with me Luke!
“I’ll slap your bald head & you’ll do nothing! Waste man.”
Joshua, 31, is currently in negotiations to face his WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
An August showdown between the pair – who have both publicly stated their desire to share the ring – is in the works.
And according to Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassuyk, Wembley Stadium could potentially host the bout.
He told Sky Sports: “WBO has to issue the official enforcement for the mandatory today.
“According to my knowledge, AJ is ready to take the challenge.
“It may happen anywhere including Wembley, but yet no serious venue commitments have been made.”
Fury, 32, penned the contract for his trilogy fight with Wilder on Sunday morning.
The WBC king is set to renew his rivalry with The Bronze Bomber – whom he defeated last February – in Las Vegas on July 24.
The brand-spanking-new Allegiant Stadium is in the running to host the bout, as well as the T-Mobile Arena.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
