15 Jun 2021

Joshua believes Fury fight will 'never happen'

10:09 am on 15 June 2021

World heavweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua doubts his fight against fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury will ever happen according to his promoter, Eddie Hearn.

Joshua called Fury "a fraud" after their proposed bout in August in Saudi Arabia was called off.

It fell through after an arbitration hearing ruled Fury must first fight American Deontay Wilder.

"AJ never felt they wanted the fight, he never felt like Fury wanted it," said Hearn.

"I think AJ, in his head, probably thinks the fight will never happen. I would like to be more hopeful and I think it will happen."

WBC champion Fury, 32, will now fight 35-year-old Wilder for a third time when they meet next month.

Joshua, meanwhile, holds the IBF, WBA and WBO titles and has been ordered to defend the latter of those against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.

Anthony Joshua holds numerous world titles.

Anthony Joshua holds numerous world titles. Photo: Photosport

"If AJ knocks out Usyk and Fury knocks out Wilder then in four months we are talking about an even bigger fight," added Hearn.

"One could lose or look bad but I do get the feeling if they both win then the fight is huge. I am hoping it works out for the best."

Talks between the Joshua, 31, and Usyk camps are continuing, with their fight expected to take place on either 18 or 25 September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Ukraine's Usyk, 34, is a former undisputed world cruiserweight champion and has 18 wins from 18 bouts.

-BBC