For years, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have been linked to a battle that would comfortably surpass that of any all-British affair before them, as two of the countries’ greatest ever fighters go head-to-head, hopefully with world titles on the line. Now, it seems as though the much-desired showdown could be around the corner, regardless of the result of Fury-Usyk on Saturday night.
Fury and Joshua have been embroiled in a fierce rivalry ever since the remarkable comeback that saw ‘The Gypsy King’ reclaim his throne, although recently many believed Fury to be the superior of the two, based off of AJ’s below-par performances against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius last year.
However, Joshua then made the decision to appoint Fury’s former trainer Ben Davison and set about a destructive pathway to return to the peak of the division, knocking out both of Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou with brutal displays during an eye-catching three-month spell, especially considering that Fury only edged a split-decision against Ngannou a few months prior.
Now Fury is poised to challenge for the undisputed heavyweight title in a tantalising clash against Oleksandr Usyk, where a win would see him become the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era and etch his name into his history books, cementing his place amongst the greats, although a two-way rematch-clause meant Joshua was expected to wait until 2025 for his shot at the victor.
Yet, speaking to OLBG, Tyson Fury’s manager Spencer Brown believed that he will be able to work around the rematch-clause, expecting that Usyk may step-aside to allow for Fury-Joshua so long as he is promised a fight with the winner.
“It doesn’t matter whether Tyson wins, loses or draws, it doesn’t matter – Turki Alalshikh still wants him to fight Anthony Joshua. Simple as that – whether he wins, whether he loses, or whether he draws, the fight he wants is that fight [against AJ], so he will go after that fight.
“I’m sure we will see Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua. When Tyson beats Usyk that fight is enormous, it’s bigger than big, isn’t it? The Saudis have mentioned it to me – and mentioned it to all of us – the first one would be in Riyadh and if there was a taste for a second one, they would put it on at Wembley. Imagine that.
“I don’t think Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, in my opinion, will happen next because we have a rematch clause with Usyk. But it’s all down to Turki’s wallet. We’ve got a few scenarios here, is Usyk-Joshua a fight we want to see again? Or do we all want to Fury-Joshua? When Usyk loses, does he say ‘I’ll take the step aside and then fight the winner’? Personally, probably yes.”
Fury-Usyk will take place on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will be available to purchase live on DAZN PPV, TNT Sports Box Office and Sky Sports Box Office
Boxing Social is now on WhatsApp! Join our channel by clicking here and getting all the latest boxing news direct to your phone.