Nigerian-born world boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua has been served a strong warning by fellow-British pugilist, Tyson Fury that he will fall in the third round of their forthcoming potentially explosive title unification fight later this year.
Megasportsarena.com reports that, although a date is yet to be foxed for what is expected to be the first of two blockbuster bouts between both champs from Great Britain, Fury is already talking tough about what he intends to do, as he delivered an ominous warning to his rival.
The often loquacious ‘Gypsy King’ was so vocal in his latest outburst, as he declared that he will beat Joshua inside three rounds; and his public message becomes the latest suggestion that he expects a fight with Joshua to happen this year, even as talks for the dream fight intensify.
Incidentally, the World Boxing Council (WBC) champion’s threat to snatch the International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) belts from Joshua came 24 hours after one of the biggest obstacles towards the undisputed title fight becoming a reality drew nearer to being solved.
That is due to a startling development that Ukrainian fighter, Oleksandr Usyk’s status as WBO mandatory challenger to the title held by Joshua is no longer a major problem, as the governing body has been in contact with him over stepping aside.
Usyk is now said to be in tentative talks to fight Joe Joyce for the WBO interim title, thereby allowing Joshua’s fight with Fury to take place next, most likely before the first quarter of the year runs out, with every major belt in the world heavyweight division on the line.
Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk told Sky Sports: “We received the letter from WBO saying that they are considering granting sanction for AJ versus Fury. But Usyk has never received any serious offer nor anyone approached him with the offer to ‘step aside.’
“We all read it from media. I know that the WBO in general and its president Paco Valcarcel in particular will never violate the rules of its organisation and sanction the major fight without Usyk’s consent.
“So, now is the best time for the AJ vs Fury fight promoters to make Usyk a serious offer either to fight the WBO champion or to step aside and fight for the interim.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn added: “I don’t see that an issue,” with regards to American ex-champ, Deontay Wilder’s claim to a third fight with Fury, whose US-based promoter, Bob Arum enthused: “I think we’ll sort through any issues and arrive at the conclusion, which is the fight that everybody wants.”
Fury rook to social media to reveal his excitement with the latest development, as he posted: “I just got off the phone with [my trainer] Sugarhill Steward in America. We are going to smash AJ – one round, two rounds, three rounds. Done! Can’t wait.”
