Heavyweight boxing

EDDIE HEARN has insisted Anthony Joshua does not want a “gimme fight” next time out – despite coming off the back of two straight losses.Talks are currently ongoing with Tyson Fury’s camp regarding a mega all-British showdown before the year is out.
Anthony Joshua is targeting a return to the ring before the year is outCredit: Getty
Tyson Fury called out Joshua for a WBC title clashCredit: https://twitter.com/Tyson_Fury
But in the event of that mouthwatering meeting falling through, Hearn insisted that AJ wants to fight one of the best in the business.
Speaking on who Joshua’s opponent could be if the Fury fight collapses, Hearn told the DAZN Boxing Show: “He wouldn’t want a soft touch. I think that would work against him.
“It’s a top 10 guy, you could pull him out of the rankings yourself. As soon as I start mentioning names, the price goes up. The last thing AJ wants is a gimme fight.”
Here SunSport take a look at three names Hearn mentioned as possible opponents in the event of the Fury fight not going ahead.
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Filip Hrgovic
Standing at 6ft 6in, the 30-year-old Croatian is the exact same height as Joshua.
Nicknamed ‘El Animal’, Filip Hrgovic has won all 15 of his professional bouts, 12 of which have come via knockout.
His last fight was in August, on the undercard of Joshua vs Usyk II, where he outpointed Chinese fighter Zhang Zhilei in an eliminator for the IBF world title.
Filip Hrgovic is yet to lose a professional fightCredit: Getty
Zhilei Zhang
Hearn also mentioned Zhang himself as a potential opponent for Joshua.
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That loss to Hrgovic was the first of the 39-year-old southpaw’s professional career.
But speaking on a matchup for AJ, Hearn was impressed by Zhang in defeat.
He said: “You’ve got Filip Hrgovic. He just won. I think it was a poor performance from him. Zhilei Zhang looked good.”
Zhang was beaten by Hrgovic last time out, but impressed in defeatCredit: Getty
Otto Wallin
The final name Hearn mentioned was 31-year-old Swedish fighter Otto Wallin.
Like Zhang, the 31-year-old is also a southpaw, and has 24 wins and one loss on his professional record.
That loss coming against Fury back in 2019.
Wallin outpointed American Rydell Booker in his last fight earlier this year.
Wallin was beaten by Fury back in September 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

TYSON FURY has given Anthony Joshua an ultimatum – fight by December 3 or forget about it. The heavyweight stars are in unlikely talks after Joshua ACCEPTED Fury’s terms of a 60/40 money split.
Tyson Fury will not fight Anthony Joshua any later than December 3Credit: Rex
Anthony Joshua has agreed to take on Tyson Fury this yearCredit: Getty

Eddie Hearn confirmed AJ is willing to concede the lionshare and will be ready to return on December 17.
And he even claimed Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has booked Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for that date.
But the Battle of Britain already faces collapse after Fury refused to fight any later than December 3.
Commenting in Michael Benson’s Instagram account, he said: “November 26th Wembley or December 3rd Cardiff that’s the dates take or leave.”
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Fury initially eyed a fight with WBA, IBF and WBO champion Usyk, who beat Joshua twice in the space of 11 months.
It would have been the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed title decider.
But Usyk, 35, has ruled himself out until next year after the Ukrainian hero returned to his war-torn home and family for the first time.
Fury wants to fight by the end of the year and therefore turned his attention to Joshua, offering him an unexpected package.
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AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed they are willing to accept after talks with Warren’s son George.
He told iFL TV: “We just went back this morning and said, I spoke to AJ about that offer, we think, I think particularly he deserves more than 40 per cent.
“But, he’s happy. And I don’t make the decisions, he does. So I went back this morning and said, ‘We accept 60/40’.
“We want that reversed in the rematch, rightfully so because you’re champion here, you want the bigger split, which I think is fair.
“And we want to do the fight in December. Now interestingly, they have December 17th, Queensberry held at the Millennium, so that’s perfect.”
Hearn added negotiations are ongoing, including over the pay-per-view rights.
Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua’s tale of the tape
Fury, 34, is a BT boxer while Joshua’s brand new long-term deal with sports streaming service DAZN is about to begin.
DAZN have launched a box office platform, making a rare duel PPV possible.
Joshua, 32, was set to return before the end of the year against an opponent ranked within the world’s top 15.
But plans to build back steadily could be cast aside if the chance to challenge for Fury’s WBC belt goes from longshot to reality.
Hall of Famer Warren backed the all-Brit bout to break the domestic PPV record with 2MILLION sales.
And if the price takes an expected hike to £30, it leaves £60million made in box office receipts alone.
November 26th Wembley or December 3rd Cardiff that’s the dates take or leave.Tyson Fury to Anthony Joshua
And the last time AJ boxed in Wales, beating Joseph Parker, 30, in 2018, around £10m was made by paying fans.
It means Joshua and Fury would be expected to clear well over £70m in PPVs and tickets sales.
Although Fury doubled down on his demands and cut-off date.
He said on talkSPORT: “I have November 26th at Wembley or December 3rd. One is 11 weeks, and one is 12 weeks.
“If a professional athlete who’s shredded all year round can’t get himself in shape in three months, there’s a problem.”
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It clearly means negotiations are only at a start but Hearn has maintained they are happy with the financial terms.
He said: “In essence, we accept the offer of 60/40 and we confirmed that this morning. Lot’s of conversations to be had.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn and Anthony JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Tyson Fury with his promoter Frank WarrenCredit: PA More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has ACCEPTED Tyson Fury’s offer for their blockbuster showdown and paved the way for the biggest fight in British boxing history.Joshua was on the surprising end of a callout from Fury, who is not willing to wait around for an undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk next year.
Anthony Joshua has agreed to take on Tyson Fury this yearCredit: Getty
Tyson Fury offered Anthony Joshua a 60/40 splitCredit: Getty
AJ was offered a 40 per cent split of what would be a record-breaking UK purse to fight the Gypsy King.
A date in early November was initially put on the table but Joshua can only return by December at the earliest following last month’s points loss to Usyk.
Fury also wants to include a rematch clause and AJ’s team are happy to comply, as long as they get the lion’s share in return if they win.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed they are willing to take the deal on offer after talks with Frank Warren’s son George.
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He told iFL TV: “We just went back this morning and said, I spoke to AJ about that offer, we think, I think particularly he deserves more than 40 per cent.
“But, he’s happy. And I don’t make the decisions, he does. So I went back this morning and said, ‘We accept 60/40’.
“We want that reversed in the rematch, rightfully so because you’re champion here, you want the bigger split, which I think is fair.
“And we want to do the fight in December. Now interestingly, they have December 17th, Queensberry held at the Millennium, so that’s perfect.”
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Fury initially wanted to fight WBA, IBF and WBO champion Usyk, who beat Joshua twice in the space of 11 months.
It would have been the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed title decider.
But Usyk, 35, has ruled himself out until next year after the Ukrainian hero returned to his war-torn home and family for the first time.
Fury wants to return by the end of the year and therefore turned his attention to Joshua.
And in another twist he has appeared to tell AJ there are only two dates he’ll fight n – and NEITHER are December 17.
He claimed on talkSPORT that November 26 at Wembley or December 3 in Cardiff are the dates on offer.
He said: “I have Nov 26th at Wembley or Dec 3rd. One is 11 weeks, and one is 12 weeks.
“If a professional athlete who’s shredded all year round can’t get himself in shape in three months, there’s a problem.”
Hearn confirmed negotiations are ongoing, including over the pay-per-view rights.
Fury, 34, is a BT boxer while Joshua’s brand new long-term deal with sports streaming service DAZN is about to begin.
Although DAZN have launched a box office platform, making a rare duel PPV possible.
Joshua, 32, was set to return before the end of the year against an opponent ranked within the world’s top 15.
Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua’s tale of the tape
But plans to build back steadily could be cast aside if the chance to challenge for Fury’s WBC belt goes from longshot to reality.
Promoter Warren backed the all-Brit bout to break the domestic PPV record with 2MILLION sales.
And if the price takes an expected hike to £30, it leaves £60million made in box office receipts alone.
And the last time AJ boxed in Wales, beating Joseph Parker, 30, in 2018, around £10m was made by paying fans.
It means Joshua and Fury would be expected to clear well over £70m in PPVs and tickets sales.
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Negotiations are only at a start but Hearn has maintained they are happy with the financial terms.
He said: “In essence, we accept the offer of 60/40 and we confirmed that this morning. Lot’s of conversations to be had.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn and Anthony JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Tyson Fury with his promoter Frank WarrenCredit: PA More

OLEKSANDR USYK has offered Anthony Joshua the chance to train with him – which comes amid talks of fighting Tyson Fury.The Ukrainian beat AJ twice in the space of 11 months, most recently in a Saudi Arabia split-decision.
Oleksandr Usyk has offered to train with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
It leaves him with a rebuilding job following consecutive losses, but Usyk is willing to help Joshua on his road to redemption.
He told Sky Sports: “If he needs my help, I will go to his camp and help him.
“He is not 40 years old, he is 33, so he should keep working – Anthony, don’t stop.
“I understand that he wanted to win against me, but Anthony can’t give up. He must go forward.”
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After Usyk beat Joshua in their rematch, he called to face Fury in a historic four-belt unification, the heavyweight division’s first ever.
But having only just returned to his war-torn home to the friends and family he left behind, the pound-for-pound star is taking a break.
That though does not fall into Fury’s plan of returning before the end of the year.
With Usyk, 35, out also nursing injuries, the WBC champion, 34, has instead turned his attention to Joshua.
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An offer to commence the Battle of Britain is believed to have been sent to AJ, who would earn 40 per cent of the total purse.
And he urged his long-time rival not to fear losing for a third time as he pushes for an unthinkable super-fight.
Fury told The Ring magazine: “He would be a massive underdog, so he’s in a win-win situation.
“If everyone expects him to lose and he beats me, then he’s back on top and bigger than ever.
“And if he’s lost three, what difference does it make if he loses four?
“Four losses means nothing. Look at Derek Chisora, he’s had 12 losses and he’s still battling away.”
Tyson Fury wants to fight Anthony Joshua nextCredit: Getty More

LENNOX LEWIS weighed with predictions on potential fights between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk as well as Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. After Usyk beat AJ for the second time in the space of 11 months, it set up a historic unification bout with Fury.
Lennox Lewis is the last heavyweight undisputed championCredit: Rex
Tyson Fury was in line to fight Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
It would provide the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion.
The last man to have that accolade was Lewis, but he reigned with only three of the belts as the WBO title was not recognised at the time.
Lewis, 57, backs Fury, 34, to replicate his success and emerge as another undisputed king from Britain.
He told ESNews:  “I’m a Fury fan right now.
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I saw him beat Deontay three times and the way that he did it – he told us how he was going to do it.
“I didn’t believe him the second fight but I believed him the third fight and I watched him do it.
I always say a good big guy can always beat a good small guy.”
Joshua, 32, was linked with a mega-fight against Wilder, 36, following his latest loss.
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Lewis has an affiliation to Premier Boxing Champions, who promote Wilder.
So he went against the grain and picked against AJ when offering his prediction for the heavyweight dream-fight.
Lewis said: “Definitely Wilder.
“Wilder has that thing in him where he wants to hurt you and every time he throws that right hand he’s trying to damage with it – he’s throwing it with intent.”
Anthony Joshua and Lennox Lewis pictured in 2012Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Lennox Lewis and Deontay WilderCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

TYSON FURY and Anthony Joshua could split a staggering £60million in pay-per-view wages alone. Talks are officially underway between the heavyweight pair for what would be an unlikely Battle of Britain.
Tyson Fury called out Anthony Joshua to fightCredit: https://twitter.com/Tyson_Fury
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are negotiating a super-fightCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren, who claimed an offer will be officially be sent in writing, backed the super-fight to sell 2MILLION PPVs.
And if the box office price point took an expected hike to £30, that means with two million sold, at least £60m is generated already.
Fury, 34, took the unusual step of publicly revealing what he offered Joshua, 32, by claiming he would give the challenger 40 per cent.
So if Warren’s numbers are correct, the champion would walk away with £36m and AJ taking a handsome £24m.
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And that is all before sponsorship bonuses and ticket sales are accounted for.
Wales’ 75-000 seat Principality Stadium – where Joshua has twice headlined – has been eyed as a potential venue because it has a roof.
And even if fans face a fight with the winter cold, they would still be expected to pack Cardiff out.
Fury in April knocked out Dillian Whyte, 34, but announced his retirement from boxing after.
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But when Oleksandr Usyk, 35, beat AJ for the second time in 11 months, the Gypsy King’s mind was changed.
Usyk called Fury out in what would be the heavyweight division’s first four-belt heavyweight unification.
But the Ukrainian hero has ruled himself out until next year after returning to his war-torn home and family for the first time.
Whereas Fury is not willing to wait around and wants to return by the end of the year and therefore turned his attention to Joshua.
Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk for a second timeCredit: Getty More