Anthony Joshua is in talks with Tyson Fury over his next opponent, WBC and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. The fight between the two would be a possible rematch of their December 2016 bout which saw Fury knock out the Ukrainian.
Anthony Joshua is currently in talks with Tyson Fury to step aside so that he can fight the undefeated Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk next.
Anthony Joshua is thinking about taking a step back so Tyson Fury can fight Oleksandr Usyk next.
Anthony Joshua is reportedly considering withdrawing from his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in order for the Ukrainian to meet Tyson Fury in an undisputed heavyweight showdown.
Bob Arum and Frank Warren, Fury’s promoters, have been pressuring Dillian Whyte to agree to terms while also negotiating with Joshua’s management about standing aside so Fury may face Usyk next.
By Wednesday, when the Fury v Whyte purse bidding take place, an agreement for any bout should be achieved.
Whyte, the obligatory challenger to Fury’s WBC title, is certain that he deserves more than the WBC’s mandated 20% share of the fight’s income, and purse bids have been postponed three times as discussions continue.
The delays have irritated Team Fury, who have already scheduled Fury to fight on March 26 in Cardiff, and Joshua’s willingness to stand aside might put pressure on Whyte to agree to terms.
If purse bids are held, competing promoters will be allowed to compete for the rights to produce Fury v Whyte.
Eddie Hearn promotes both Joshua and Whyte, and is now negotiating step-side proposals for Joshua as well as a contract for Whyte against Fury. Whyte’s continuing spat with the WBC has compounded things, with the ‘Bodysnatcher’ enraged by the length of time it took to install him as mandatory challenger and the proposed purse split.
The WBC has a history of postponing mandatory challenger contests if a significant bout is agreed upon, and a fight between Fury and Usyk for the undisputed championship would undoubtedly fulfill that criteria.
According to the Telegraphexternal-link, Joshua is ready to accepting a £15 million deal to withdraw from his planned April bout with Usyk in order for the Ukrainian to face Fury in the Middle East.
After being defeated decisively on points in September, Joshua invoked his rematch clause with Usyk, claiming he is anxious to avenge himself and become a three-time heavyweight world champion.
Usyk owns the WBA (Super), WBO, and IBF heavyweight belts, while Fury holds the WBC and Ring magazine titles.
Joshua’s step-aside deal would almost certainly include a pledge to fight the victor of Fury v Usyk later this year.
The WBC has postponed the purse bidding for Fury v Whyte until Wednesday, and one of two agreements is expected to be reached by then. It will be revealed if Joshua has accepted a step-aside offer or whether Whyte v Fury will take place.
Joshua is in a fantastic situation right now. The two-time unified heavyweight champion is confident in his ability to defeat Usyk in a rematch, and he has long desired an undisputed heavyweight title bout.
The 32-year-old may take the step-aside offer and gain extra time to polish his game before facing Usyk in April, or he could stick to his original plan and face Usyk in April, then seek a fight with Fury if both men win their next fights.
Joshua is expected to make changes to his coaching staff, but no news yet on whether the British boxer will continue to work with his long-time coach Rob McCracken.
Deontay Wilder has been out of the ring since December. Tyson Fury is currently in talks with Dillian Whyte to fight him next. If this match does not happen, then Anthony Joshua will step aside for Deontay Wilder. Reference: deontay wilder.
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