TYSON FURY versus Anthony Joshua would be the biggest British sporting event since England won the 1966 World Cup – if AJ dares to take it.
Promoter Frank Warren watched the Gypsy King destroy Deontay Wilder, the most feared puncher on the planet, on Saturday night with a career-defining performance to land the WBC world title.
WBC champ Tyson Fury’s clash with Anthony Joshua would be the biggest sporting event for Britain since the 1966 World Cup triumph, says promotor Frank Warren
Joshua, 30, holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts so a showdown between the two would decide the first undisputed champion since UK icon Lennox Lewis.
Wounded Wilder has 30 days to activate an instant-rematch clause but AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn says they want to jump in and secure a summer thriller – if they can get out of a June mandatory defence with Kubrat Pulev.
But Warren is not so sure Team Joshua are really that keen for the once-in-a-generation event after his alleged glass jaw shattered against Andy Ruiz Jr last June.
Warren said: “That would be the biggest sporting event to take place in the UK since England won the World Cup. You would not be able to get a ticket for it.
“The stumbling block is that he has to fight Pulev. The stumbling block for that fight is the old Waterford Crystal (points to chin) and we will see what happens with that. If anyone clips him he will go.
The stumbling block for that fight is the old Waterford Crystal (points to chin) and we will see what happens with that
“If I was him I wouldn’t fight Pulev, I would even vacate the belts to get the fight with Tyson on.
“He should not take the risk. I’d prefer him not to take the risk, I’d prefer Wilder not to take the rematch and let’s get it on.”
With all four major belts now in British hands, the sport red hot and venues queuing up to throw silly money at the fantasy bout, it is only likely to be cold hard cash that wrecks the dream.
And Warren is happy to use Fury’s rocketing profile as a stick to beat down AJ’s value, especially after he landed his Ruiz rematch win after the 5ft 11in Mexican had ballooned up to 20st 3lbs.
Warren said: “Is there not money on this side of the table? Who is the No1 heavyweight in the world? It’s Tyson.
THIS IS DIFFERENT GRAY WITH TYSON
“Joshua is spoilt goods. We saw what happened in New York and he came back and beat a guy who trained in his fridge. He came back and fought like he was wading through custard.
“I’m not taking anything away from Joshua, he trained well and did his job but, come on, this is different gravy with Tyson.
“He is the No1 heavyweight and Joshua is in the slipstream. We would probably be generous and give him 70/30.”
Beating Wilder was one thing, totally changing his usual technical style to smash a five-year champion around the ring until his concerned corner dragged him out, was something else.
Fury marched forward relentlessly, threw his right hand with 19st 7lbs gay abandon and still never looked to be running out of gas even as the fight moved into the second half.
And Warren insists those same tactics – and not the old herky jerky point scoring we had grown used to – will be the gameplan that dethrones Joshua again.
The Hall of Fame matchmaker said: “They were the perfect tactics for this fight and they would be great for fighting Joshua.
“You would jump on him and put him on the back foot because you know, if you clip him, he is going to go.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
