IMMEDIATELY after his dramatic win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium this past weekend, Anthony Joshua called out one man – Tyson Fury.
A fight between the two unbeaten British heavyweights is one of the biggest that can be made in the sport today, and perhaps the only one that could rival a potential Gennady Golovkin-Canelo Alvarez clash.
Fury has not fought since stunning Klitschko back in November 2015 when Klitschko was still the division leader. Tyson has since relinquished his titles after admitting to suffering from mental health issues, but he is now back in training ahead of a proposed comeback.
On Monday he will find out the fate of his British Boxing Board of Control licence, which was suspended last year, plus he must address allegations of a failed drug test from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), which he denies.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is aware Fury has to get his house in order before any serious talks can happen but he is pleased to see the self-styled ‘Gypsy King’ back in the gym.
“He probably needs to become a Sky fighter [laughs],” he told Boxing News when asked what would need to happen for Joshua-Fury to be made.
“He needs to get in shape, he needs to get his licence back, he needs to clear his name with UKAD and then I think he needs to have a fight and then I think it’s on.
“Physically he’s not at the races but he seems to be working hard and I really hope he does come back. I don’t think it’ll be July, but I think he can come back in September or October, have a fight, maybe two and then we’d be ready to go.”
Naturally, the fight would be a pay-per-view event but it could prove difficult striking a deal, given that Fury is aligned with Frank Warren, BoxNation and BT Sport.
Both Joshua and Fury have repeatedly expressed their interest in facing each other and despite some observers claiming ‘AJ’ and his team have tried to swerve Fury, Hearn is willing and ready to make the fight.
“We would jump at that fight straight away. I’m a promoter and I want the biggest fights, and that fight is just gold dust. Josh wants the fight badly,” he said.
“It’s not us, it’s him. We’re ready. Joshua would take that fight next but obviously Fury has a lot to overcome before he’s back in the ring.”
