Anthony Joshua’s year continues to be mapped out in boxing as the hulking heavyweight will return to the ring July 25 for a fight against the unheralded Kristian Prenga in Riyadh — a mere warm-up for the Battle of Britain organizers have planned against Tyson Fury later in the year.
Joshua’s career-long promoter, Eddie Hearn, said last month that the sport’s financier, Turki Alalshikh had presented the boxer a two-fight deal that always included a Fury fight as the second part of the agreement. Hearn even indicated it was likely that Joshua would accept.
Later, though, there was speculation that the Fury part of the agreement could be a two-fight offer for Fury, specifically, meaning a rematch clause was likely included.
However, Queensberry Promotions boss, Frank Warren, has clarified whether the Fury vs Joshua fight is a one or two-fight deal.
“Yes, [it is a one-fight deal],” he told BBC Sport.
“The fight, when they step into the ring with Tyson and AJ, for the loser – that will be it.”
— Frank Warren on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua
The fight is no doubt arriving far too late as the rivals could have fought a two-fight series if not an entire trilogy by now. Regardless, the name value for the participants remains so high it will likely fill one of Britain’s many premier soccer stadia.
Warren wondered what will be in store for the loser — possibly retirement, considering Joshua is 36, and Fury is one year older, at 37.
“That will be it and that is how it will be,” added Warren. “The loser, I don’t see where he will go. For the winner, it’s a choice of what does he wants to do next?”
It is currently unclear where the fight will take place or which streaming platform it will air on, with DAZN the most probable broadcaster and Netflix an outside pick.
