By Barry Holbrook: Anthony Joshua is reporting that June is the date for his mega-fight against Tyson Fury and he can’t wait to be the “undisputed” heavyweight champion.
If what IBF/WBA/WBO champion Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) is reporting is true, it should make WBC belt holder Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) pleased, since he’s been complaining lately about his fears that the fight won’t happen.
Joshua sounds certain that the fight with the ‘Gypsy King’ will happen, and he says it’s “for the fans.” Unfortunately, the first fight with Fury likely won’t take place in front of their loyal British or even their American fans.
The fight will be staged where it makes the most money for both champions, and that’s not the UK or U.S. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has mentioned numerous possible locations for the June Joshua-Fury fight, but the one that he talks about the most in the Middle East.
As a result, if AJ and Fury’s fans want to see their first fight in June, they’ll need to be prepared to travel.
Joshua gives an update on Fury fight
“June should be the date. Trust me. For the fans, for the people that have been calling it on for many months.
“Shoutout to Fury and his team as well, hungry go-getters, that’s what we are. The UK stand up. I can’t wait. Undisputed.,” said Anthony Joshua @JDOfficial
Fury has been talking about his inactivity and how he couldn’t get a second fight last year. He beat Deontay Wilder a year ago in February, but he’s been inactive since
Fury came close to getting a tune-up against Agit Kabayel last December, but the fight failed to happen. If Fury wants to get a tune-up match between his June undisputed clash with Joshua, he’s going to need to pressure Top Rank to grant his wish.
It’s unclear how many fights Fury has left on his contract with Top Rank, but if it’s only two, he can forget about getting a tune-up before meeting up with AJ in June.
Top Rank isn’t going to burn away one of their last remaining fights with Fury in a match that won’t make them a lot of money.
Fury will have to deal with his ring rust by training hard, doing a lot of sparring, and staying mentally ready.
Fighters rarely have everything perfect when they go into an important contest, and Fury will have to make do with him being less than 100%.
If Fury loses to AJ, he’s got another fight with him to even things out. Beating Joshua in the second fight will set up a lucrative trilogy match that could be more successful financially than the first two.