Nigerian-born world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua might end up fighting his fellow-British rival, Tyson Fury at a date in February next year.
Megasportsarena.com reports that this much has been offered by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who hinted that the long-awaited fight between both Brits could be possible in February.
Joshua was finally due to get in the ring for a blockbusting unification fight with his British rival, but it was cancelled after a United States arbitrator ordered Fury to have a third bout against USA’s Deontay Wilder.
Hearn has now hinted that a date early next year would be possible, once Fury gets over Wilder and if Joshua wins his mandatory title defence against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk.
The order for a Fury/Wilder trilogy left Joshua, the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champ, open to fight Usyk, who is still the undisputed world cruiserweight champion, with the bout now fixed for the end of September at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Hearn believes Joshua has had enough time to prepare himself mentally for the new opponent and will not be affected by the Fury cancellation.
Joshua-Fury is the fight that everyone wants to see and Hearn thinks it could be possible in early 2022, as he told told the PA news agency: “I think I would probably say a February date or something like that.
“But, after all the negotiations, we are just focused on Oleksandr Usyk and we’ll go from there. I would like to think we have got a good deal in place for that.
“I don’t really trust anything that comes from that side. But, if we don’t beat Usyk, it’s irrelevant anyway so that’s the focus.
“Everyone wants the best against the best, but look what we have got. We have got Wilder against Fury, I know it’s number three, but we have also got AJ against Usyk, which is a fantastic fight.
“We have got some great fights and we hopefully get that one made after. I think maybe if the fight happened quicker, but he has had time to, not lick his wounds, but overcome the fact the Fury fight is not happening.
“So, he has rejigged his camp and got his mind in order, he is excited about the challenge and he is looking forward to it.
“You look at all the challenges Joshua has faced: the Dillian Whytes, Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Ruiz, Povetkin, Pulev, it’s an unbelievable run.
“It is the unified heavyweight against the undisputed cruiserweight world champion. It’s an incredible fight and Anthony keeps accepting the challenges and he should be commended.
“I actually said that to Anthony the other day, Usyk is very skilful, arguably one of the best pound for pound fighters out there.
“So, I do believe in the heavyweight division – although Usyk seems to be growing every day – that a good big ‘un beats a good little ‘un, at least I hope so.”
