Tyson Fury facing Anthony Joshua – despite being a one-of-a-kind British rivalry – has a good chance of going begging.
Only six times in the history of the sport have two Brits battled for a world heavyweight title, two of which being Fury’s last couple of defences of his WBC belt.
Those fights against Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora pale in comparison to the money an ‘AJ’ bout would generate, but both men are nearing the end of their careers and have tough tests ahead.
Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk to become undisputed champion – the first since the days of Lennox Lewis – and his last performance against Francis Ngannou have some backing the Ukrainian.
Joshua is fighting hard to get back to the top after two losses to that same man, with a tough test against Otto Wallin this weekend and then a proposed fight with hard-hitting Fury foe Deontay Wilder.
Speaking to Boxing Social via FreeBets.com, Fury’s father John said the fight was unlikely – especially given he thinks ‘AJ’ will lose to Wallin.
“AJ’s got his own problems. And that’ll be the case of Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe – the fight that never took place. He’s gotta get through the 23rd, and then he’s fighting Wilder, so he’s got two Everests to climb before he gets to Tyson. At the end of the day, he had his chance didn’t he? And they flunked it. All that’s down is put AJ in a slippery situation. Both fights aren’t banana skins, he can get beat. He’s every chance of getting beat by Wallin.”
Asked if he had to put money on it, he said it wouldn’t happen – but, if it does, John believes it would be ‘the biggest fight ever.’
“No, I think that one’s flew. That bird’s flew. That boat’s sailed. Unless AJ keeps winning, he gets past Wallin, he beats Wilder, Tyson is undisputed champion. Guess what? Game on. The biggest fight ever to grace a TV screen. It’s the stuff dreams are made of isn’t it? I would love nothing better. A think that will never ever be equalled.”
Fans will be watching closely as the two Brits fight to keep the rivalry arrive in the hope of one day standing across from each another inside the ropes.