WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has cast his highly-anticipated fight with Anthony Joshua into fresh doubt after revealing it is no closer to being finalised.
The bout against Joshua, holder of the WBA, WBO and IBF belts, has been touted for months, with both parties keen to make the megafight happen.
Sportsmail reported earlier this month that the first draft of contracts for the fight had been exchanged between the two parties, with only minor issues left to resolve, such as the order of ring walks and who appears first on the fight’s billing.
Joshua (above) and Fury hope to come face-to-face this year after dominating the division
But the added complication of the coronavirus pandemic has made negotiations even more difficult, and they are not as advanced as they would appear, according to Fury.
‘They’ve had a full year to make something happen, and it hasn’t happened as of yet. We’re no further forward today than we were a year ago,’ he told ESPN.
‘The way (Covid-19) is at the moment, I don’t think (it has) got much to do with the fighters. It’s to do with the venue, date, place, site fees. It’s to do with everything but the fight itself.’
Even if the fight does get arranged for 2021 Fury admits his long period of inactivity is a cause for concern.
Fury’s last fight against Deontay Wilder was a year ago this week, and a second rematch for December did not happen.
The Gypsy King’s much-changed physique was on display this month, with a video of the 32-year-old swimming in Morecambe Bay appearing to show him some way off peak physical form.
Fury admits any preparation for a fight has not been ideal, having not fought for over a year
Meanwhile, Joshua did make it into the ring towards the back end of 2020, easily dispatching Kubrat Pulev in December to retain his heavyweight titles.
And Fury admits it is something his opponent-in-waiting has over him.
‘It was just a big mess-up. I should have boxed, because I’ve been so inactive. I’ve been out for over a year,’ he added.
‘By the time I fight again, looking at maybe June if this Joshua fight happens, that will be a year and six months out of the ring, which is not ideal preparation for any superfight.
‘If that fight doesn’t happen this summer, it’s got to happen sooner or later but (promoter) Top Rank has to give me two fights this year.
‘I don’t care who it is. If it’s not Joshua, we’re looking to fight in April or early May, and the end of the year.
Joshua and Fury are looking to unite the heavyweight division and make an undisputed champ
‘If it is Joshua, then June and the end of the year, so 2021 is looking bright.’
Joshua has not been oblivious to the preparations of his rival. And his promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the pair had discussed his recent appearance.
‘I think before he goes into any main camp he doesn’t look like AJ, ever,’ Matchroom boss Hearn told Seconds Out.
‘I said to AJ the other day, “Did you see Fury jumping in the sea? He looked like me!”
‘The response from AJ was, “We’re going to get the best Tyson Fury, so I don’t care if he’s carrying a bit of extra weight now, I’m training for the best ever Tyson Fury.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn did admit his client has noticed Fury’s extra timber in videos
‘And, make no mistake, Fury will be in top shape for this fight.’
Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia have all been reported to be in the frame for the big fight. The latest government announcement at the start of this week outlined plans for British sports fans to be back in stadiums by the summer.
Joshua himself has opened up on the prospect of facing Fury this year. The former Olympic champion is desperate to make the fight happen, and appears more confident than his opponent that negotiations are a formality.
‘It’s coming close to the point where things are getting back to normal, so we’re working towards around June,’ he told Sky Sports News.
‘If Tyson is serious, which I think he is, he’ll know where to come fight the boss.
‘I’m ready. I’m really looking forward to this competition. All I want to do is fight, fight, fight. I can’t wait to get back in the ring.’
TYSON FURY’S LATEST VERDICT ON THE BOUT
