It’s widely accepted that Tyson Fury should face both Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua to cement an already impressive legacy in the sport of boxing.
‘The Gypsy King’ is a two-time world champion, undefeated, and has had a starring role in one of the most thrilling heavyweight trilogies of all time. Following those Deontay Wilder bouts, his career has slowed slightly.
A mandatory defence against Dillian Whyte and a voluntary against Derek Chisora made up his 2022, and this year it looks as if he’ll only be out against Francis Ngannou in a crossover bout.
He has been in failed talks with both Usyk and Joshua in that time, but fans have been left with a bad taste and a worry that neither might ever come off.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Fury said that he is currently ‘not optimistic’ the ‘AJ’ fight ever happens.
“I’ve tried. In this last year or so I’ve tried two or three times. It’s always not happened for whatever reason, so I’m not optimistic.
For about a week during the negotiations of this year, I was very optimistic. Then there was a load more stuff going on. After that I was like ‘nah, it’s not happening.'”
The careers of the domestic rivals have ran parallel for some years now and, despite Joshua not currently holding belts or a perfect record, the fight would be an incredible event in the UK.
There were frustrating talks towards the end of last year and then, less so, this year. The negotiations were made very public on both occasions and collapsed not long after.
Fury believes it’s pride on Joshua’s part that’s halting things.
“I just think he’s happy losing to people not from this country, but I don’t think he wants to lose to someone from this country. No matter what money’s on the line.
Maybe he does but not right now. We’ll see. I can’t look round corners.”
After his Ngannou bout, Fury is expected to re-enter discussions not with Joshua, but with Usyk. The two men make up a four-piece puzzle to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion.