TYSON FURY could be “using” Anthony Joshua as a negotiation tactic to secure his unification fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
That is according to Chinese boxing star Zhilei Zhang’s manager Tommy Lane.
AJ, who suffered defeat to Usyk in their rematch last month, is desperate to take on the Gypsy King due to a worry that he may never get the opportunity again.
Joshua’s team have publicly accepted Fury’s offer of a 60/40 purse split in the WBC champion’s favour with talks on-going for a fight which is pencilled in for December with Cardiff’s Principality Stadium the front-runner to stage the Battle of Britain.
However, some feel that Fury is hoping to spark Saudi Arabia into action and get an offer of a mega-money clash with Usyk, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles.
Boxing manager Lane has admitted that he feels that way as well, telling Vegas Insider: “I’m not sure if Fury vs Joshua gets made. I think Joshua wants it, but you never know what Fury’s intentions or plans are.
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“This might be a negotiation tactic with Usyk, or someone else. Only Fury knows.
“I don’t think Joshua beats Fury, but it’s another shot at the heavyweight championship for a ton of money, so I don’t think you can say it’s the wrong fight for AJ.”
Zhang wants revenge on Joshua after suffering defeat in their amateur days in the quarter-finals at the 2012 Olympics in London.
And Lane says that his 39-year-old fighter is ready to step in should the AJ and Fury bout breakdown.
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“If that fight falls through we’re ready, willing, and able to come to London to fight Joshua when he’s ready.
“Given their styles, AJ v Zhang would promise to be an explosive fight for the fans.
“AJ and Zhang are on the same schedule. They fought last on the same night. Zhang didn’t get hurt during his fight, he’s already back in the gym and will be fresh and ready to go if AJ want’s it.
“Zhang and Joshua also have history and unfinished business from the amateurs, when they fought in the 2012 Olympics.
“Zhang has all of China behind him, and AJ is still one of the main faces of professional boxing.
“Joshua v Zhang is by far the biggest fight out of the other options Eddie Hearn has publicly mentioned.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
