Anthony Joshua spent his professional career looking to unite all four heavyweight belts, but the opportunity to do so now lies with Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua went into his first fight with Usyk as unified heavyweight champion, but the Ukrainian proved too skilful on the night for the Brit to keep hold of his titles.
In an immediate rematch, the point was hammered home, and ‘AJ’ now finds himself well out of the picture while Usyk moves towards the division’s other champion, Fury.
As Joshua mounts a comeback and witnesses the undisputed negotiations from the sidelines, he told Boxing Social that he wishes his two rivals well.
“Good luck to both of them. I wish them well. It’s something that I dreamed of, I worked hard for. Didn’t get the opportunity, but since they’re blessed for that opportunity, I wish them both well.”
"I wish Tyson Fury and Usyk well in their Undisputed fight." – @anthonyjoshua
Full Interview 👉 https://t.co/3f041q7O6Y
PAY NOTHING, to join Village Gym in February https://t.co/DumFQysDvipic.twitter.com/sM06HZFw7w
— Boxing Social (@boxing_social) February 9, 2023
Negotiations are still ongoing for the four-belt clash, with promoter Frank Warren recently providing the most positive update yet by claiming the fight, regardless of location, will take place on April 29.
Before that, Joshua returns to the ring against America’s Jermaine Franklin. He’ll hope a dominant victory with his new trainer, Derrick James, will see him move one rung up the heavyweight ladder.
Once all’s said and done with Fury and Usyk and an undisputed champion is crowned, there’s no telling what will happen to the belts, but there’s a good chance they will scatter as mandatories are called.
It’s up to Joshua’s team to get their fighter well-placed to pick one or two up when he can – but he’ll have to battle it out with the likes of Joe Joyce, Daniel Dubois, Deontay Wilder, and old foe, Andy Ruiz Jr, to do so.