ANTHONY JOSHUA has once again been told to step aside from a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk to allow Tyson Fury to fight for the undisputed title.
Joshua was dethroned of the WBA, IBF and WBO belts by Usyk in September after falling victim to a 12 round masterclass.
But the defiant former two-time champion has already invoked his right to an immediate rematch next year.
It means any hope of Fury unifying his WBC title with Usyk have been shelved, much to the displeasure of the Gypsy King’s US promoter Bob Arum.
He told ESNEWS: “I think it would be maybe wise to not force a fight with Usyk right away and let Usyk fight Tyson Fury and the winner to fight Joshua and Joshua to have an interim fight in the meantime.
“That’s what I hope and that’s the sensible thing. Whether it works out that way or not is not dependent on me, it’s dependent on Joshua.
“F*** Eddie Hearn. He has nothing to say about it. All he does is spit his mouth.
“No, Joshua will make the decision for Joshua, and Joshua will make whatever decision he feels is correct.”
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Fury, 33, is now expected to instead fight long-time rival Dillian Whyte, 33, the WBC mandatory challenger.
Meanwhile, Joshua, 32, will attempt to reclaim the throne he lost in the capital with a rematch against Usyk, 34, expected to take place before the end of April.
The winner of that fight could then proceed to an undisputed title decider against the victor between Fury and Whyte.
Joshua has been trialling new coaches in America to potentially add to his training team.
And he was even offered help from Fury and his cornerman Sugarhill Steward.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
