Tyson Fury confirms plan to fight Anthony Joshua as Gypsy King questions AJ nerve

Tyson Fury has doubled down on his stance on a super-fight with Anthony Joshua, confirming he wants the all-British undisputed clash next. The Gypsy King took aim at AJ last weekend following his ninth-round knockout of Kubrat Pulev in London and claimed Joshua swerved the chance to declare he wanted to fight Fury.

As things stand, the two heavyweights have already agreed initial financial terms on a two-fight deal in 2021.

Talks began on Monday between Bob Arum and Eddie Hearn with both promoters in agreement that the fight needs to happen next.

Fury is of the same belief and has reiterated his desire to fight Joshua next on the Jonathan Ross Show, saying: “Next year, the fight has to happen. He’s come over his final hurdle last week against Pulev. And now we’re both free to make this fight. I’m willing to do the fight.

“He was asked the question, ‘Do you want to fight Tyson Fury?’ very plain and simple, and he never answered the question.

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Should he receive the green light, it’s all systems go for the fight with Joshua and Matchroom chief Hearn has vowed to deliver the biggest fight in boxing.

Speaking last weekend, Joshua’s promoter said: “Everyone is saying we need to get this done,” before adding that the minor issues could be resolved in a “couple of days”.

“He [Joshua] learnt his lesson and just got sick and tired of people talking s***,” Hearn added.

“It’s not about Tyson Fury. We talked for ages about [Deontay] Wilder, and Wilder tried to make AJ look like he didn’t want to fight. AJ is saying he will fight whoever you put in front of him.

“The only hitch I can think of is Wilder. If the court orders a rematch [after Fury knocked out Wilder last February], and it doesn’t sound as though they will, then it’s out of our hands. That’s the only way it falls through – if something stops Fury’s side.

“That isn’t me saying they don’t want it. They do. But Bob Arum [Fury’s American promoter] seems very confident Wilder-Fury is not on. Unless he has made a complete balls-up, it sounds like that fight is dead.”