By William Lloyd: Tyson Fury says he’s only interested in two fights against IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua. Apart from those two, Fury says he has NO interest in fighting Dillian Whyte or Joe Joyce.
Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) isn’t likely to face Fury next, unfortunately, because former IBF/WBA/WBO champion Joshua has thus far has said nothing about stepping aside.
AJ has already activated his rematch clause to enforce the second clash with Usyk, and his promoter Eddie Hearn is backing him with his decision.
Fury is being secretive right now about who he plans on fighting in February while he waits for the smoke to clear from the Joshua vs. Usyk rematch in March or April.
Earlier today, Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) stated that he has no interest in facing unbeaten Joe Joyce for his next fight in February. Whether Fury is serious about not being interested in taking the fight against #2 WBO, #3 WBC Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) is unknown.
British boxing fans want to see Fury defend against his WBC mandatory Dillian ‘The Body Snatcher’ Whyte next. Still, that fight can’t happen due to the arbitration cause Dillian has with the sanctioning body.
Fury potentially has other excellent options to defend his WBC title against for February. Former champion Andy Ruiz Jr. would be an outstanding opponent for Fury’s next fight.
“I want to fight Usyk for all the belts, and that’s it really, and then they can fight the winner. Then that’s it, I’m done,” said Fury to Boxing Social.
It’s pointless for Fury to be talking of wanting to fight Usyk because he’s tied up with the Joshua rematch, and there’s no telling whether he’ll win that fight.
The 2016 Olympic silver medalist Joyce would be the perfect opponent for Fury, but the two are friends, which might be one reason why Tyson isn’t excited about that match-up.
Again, Andy Ruiz Jr. would be perfect for Fury if he wanted to get an opponent that would resonate in the U.S and the UK. Ruiz is coming off a win over Chris Arreola last May, and he’s eager to fight for a world title again.
“No, I’m not really interested in fighting Joe Joyce,” said Tyson Fury to iFL TV when asked who he plans on fighting next in February or March.
“I’m not interested [in Dillian Whyte],” Fury continued. “I’m enjoying myself on a daily basis, and that’s it. I’ve always said I’m only interested in two fights. Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk.
“Apart from that, I’m not interested. We’ll find out in February, will we? Today is only November, so a lot can happen in a few months,” said Fury when asked if he doesn’t get those fights against Joshua or Usyk in February, he won’t be fighting.