ANTHONY JOSHUA could forego the mandatory defence of his WBO world title to ensure a mega clash against Tyson Fury, according to Eddie Hearn.
The Gypsy King’s stunning TKO triumph over Deontay Wilder on Sunday morning earned him the WBC belt and a potential unification bout with AJ.
Fury bagged the WBC world heavyweight belt on Sunday morningCredit: Reuters
The other three major championships are in Joshua’s possessionCredit: Reuters
But a number of hurdles must be overcome before the British pair step into the ring together, not least the negotiations between the two camps.
First and foremost are the various challengers Joshua is stipulated to fight if he is to retain his titles while Fury is likely to be called back for a pre-agreed rematch with Wilder.
Hearn, meanwhile, hopes that particular clause is not taken up and is willing to knock back a match-up with WBO challenger Oleksandr Usyk to secure a clash with the Gypsy King.
Speaking to talkSPORT after Fury’s seventh round victory in Las Vegas, the Matchroom promoter stated: “I’ve already spoken to AJ and he wants to go into [the Fury] fight next.
“We have to make this fight happen. We will never, ever get the chance for two Brits to fight for an undisputed heavyweight world championship.
“I promise you we will do everything we can to make this fight. It has to happen.”
However Hearn recognises the natural order of events may have to unravel first with IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev on Joshua’s immediate agenda and Wilder due to take on Fury once more.
He added: “I probably expect Wilder to [enact the rematch clause] – I don’t see where else he has to go.
“But our mandatory challenger, Pulev, is also promoted by Bob Arum, like Fury, so there is a very easy manoeuvre there if Wilder doesn’t accept the rematch to go straight into this undisputed fight in the summer.
“That is what we have to push for initially.
“If Wilder comes back and says: ‘no, I’m having my rematch’, then that is due for July or August.
“And it doesn’t really matter because we fight Pulev at Spurs in June and this fight happens in November/December. But our preference is to go straight into it.”
Exactly where Joshua and Fury could hold their prospective contest is far from set in stone.
Having beaten Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia, the triple-belt holder could return to the Middle East with Hearn talking of a “huge site offer in place” for such a fight.
Hearn said back in January: “We have a partnership out there in Saudi Arabia.
“They put the money up for the Andy Ruiz fight. Everything they promised, they delivered. They want this fight bad and when they’ve got that kind of attitude and mentality, it’s going to be difficult to beat.”
Hearn is keen to get his man in the ring with FuryCredit: PA:Press Association
Tyson Fury speaks to the press after beating Deontay Wilder by 7th round TKO, confirms interest in trilogy rematch
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
