FRANK WARREN has admitted that Tyson Fury could attempt to pay off Deontay Wilder to ensure he fights Anthony Joshua this year.
Following his dramatic victory over the Bronze Bomber at the weekend, Fury now holds the WBC heavyweight belt to set up a potential unification bout against AJ.
Warren thinks Fury could decide to pay off Wilder instead of fight him againCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The 31-year-old won in convincing fashion on the weekendCredit: Getty Images – Getty
However a pre-agreed rematch clause in his contract with Wilder is set to be enacted, delaying the in-demand Battle of Britain bout unless drastic measures are taken.
Fury’s promoter Warren told Radio 5 Live: “I prefer to go straight to Joshua, but that is the contract.
“It has to be honoured unless we can reach some accommodation for him to step aside.
“We could pay him to step aside if he wants to do that, but that is his choice.”
With Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium eyed as a potential venue for the rematch, Wilder would take only 40 per cent of the purse having lost last time out.
But a delay in Fury taking on Joshua risks either man losing his belt in the meantime, particularly if the American can beat the Gypsy King or if AJ stumbles.
This is about the boxers and more importantly the fans. If they want to see the fight we will make it happen.”
Frank Warren
The latter scenario was on Warren’s mind as he suggested a fight in 2020 – providing Kubrat Pulev, who is expected to face AJ in June at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, doesn’t down the Watford fighter in the meantime.
He noted: “I want it before the end of the year, provided Anthony Joshua does not get defeated by anyone else.”
With Warren confessing to being “locked into” the trilogy contest back in the States, he insisted negotiations on a potential unification fight would not be hard to overcome.
The 67-year-old believes Fury is now in a position of strength that rival promoter Eddie Hearn, in charge of AJ’s dealings, could not ignore.
Warren added: “Hearn kept saying was it’s got to be 70/30 in favour of AJ and so on and so forth.
“The tables have turned now. I have no problem with 50/50. I think Tyson would deserve more but 50/50, no problem.
“This is about the boxers and more importantly the fans. If they want to see the fight we will make it happen.”
Eddie Hearn tells Fury to hurry up and win trilogy fight vs Wilder… and set up November superfight with Joshua
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
