Former two-time heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, might get another chance to get in the ring with WBC champion Tyson Fury next year, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
A shock domestic bout between the pair was being discussed just weeks after Joshua’s second successive loss to Oleksandr Usyk but talks failed to proceed after both camps could not decide on negotiation details.
However, co-promoter Bob Arum reckons the fight could still come to fruition despite WBC king Fury vowing never to fight his British-Nigerian rival after the bout collapsed.
Fury has since changed his tune, so much so that Arum believes there is a small chance the pair could clash next year.
He told Sky Sports, “Tyson was teed off because he offered Joshua the fight for the end of this year.
“The one that (Derek) Chisora took and Joshua agreed and then pulled out so Tyson is really (annoyed) at Joshua and says he won’t fight him. But let’s see.
“Joshua and Fury down the road could be a massive fight in the UK. We’ll have to see.”
The undefeated Fury is currently on course for a March undisputed fight with two-time Joshua conqueror Usyk who holds the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO titles.
The prospect of a showdown with Joshua won’t be entertained until after The Gypsy King faces off with the Ukrainian in an clash of the undefeated.
Top Rank Boxing chief Arum said, “But one fight at a time.”
Joshua has remained steadfast in his belief a clash with Fury will happen despite his rival’s back and forth.
“Well, on my behalf, I would like the opportunity,” he told iDBoxing.
“Because the longer we leave it, it’s not good for anyone. So, yeah, I would like the opportunity. Good luck with his next fight if he comes through.
“Then I think he’s going to go on to undisputed, and then I’ll be fighting somebody else. Then hopefully, we both come victorious, and then we look to fight each other.”
The 33-year-old is set to be back in the ring in March but an opponent has yet to be finalised for the Olympic gold medalist’s return.
Source: The Punch
