By Charles Brun: Anthony Joshua revealed today that the plan to have him face Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury fighting Oleksandr Usyk on the same night in Saudi Arabia has been revived.
It’s likely that the Saudis have taken note of how little buzz Usyk’s fight with Daniel Dubois is generating for this Saturday, and they’ve got to realize that it wouldn’t be worth it to stage Fury-Usyk on its own card in Arabia.
Fury is pretty much just an old windbag as far as U.S. fans are concerned, and they’re not going to pay attention to any of his fights unless he’s stowed away out of sight, out of mind on the undercard of Joshua-Wilder.
It makes sense for the Saudis to package these two fights in one night, as Fury-Usyk wouldn’t create much interest from U.S. boxing fans because neither of them is a massive draw in the States.
Fury-Usyk needs to be put on a card with Joshua vs. Wilder for the fight to bring in an audience. The only time Fury’s fights have attracted interest from American fans is when he fought Wilder.
Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) says Fury will need to win his upcoming fight against Francis Ngannou, and unified heavyweight champion Usyk must defeat his WBA mandatory Daniel Dubois this Saturday night for the event in Saudi Arabia to come off.
Joshua-Wilder & Fury-Usyk revived
“The goal’s to have Usyk and Fury compete for undisputed, with myself and Wilder. It’ll be a great event potentially,” said Anthony Joshua to Sky Sports Boxing about the Saudis potentially reviving the idea of putting on a mega-event pitting Anthony Joshua against Deontay Wilder & Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk on the same night.
It must still be a long shot that the Joshua-Wilder & Fury-Usyk card takes place on the same night. With Fury being part of the card, the chances are high that he’ll price himself out by asking for loadsamoney that even the Saudis wouldn’t be willing to pay.
The worst thing that could have happened to Fury was him beating Wilder twice because it’s caused him to be pretty much impossible to negotiate with.
With Fury likely to be asking for gazillions to fight Usyk, it’s predictable that the Saudis will wash their hands of him forever.
“Wait to see what happens and then finalize the devil in the detail,” said Joshua. “Whoever’s good enough to take me to the trenches, let’s go. That’s what I’m looking for.”
Wilder dangerous for AJ
“I think there’s a possibility. I think they’re mulling it over,” said Gareth A. Davies to Boxing King Media on whether the Joshua vs. Wilder fight will happen. “I’m not sure if they’re 100% on it.”
“I’d expect an announcement in the next ten days if it’s going to happen. They’re all on board for it. There are split camps on whether he [Joshua] should take the fight next. I wasn’t sure about it, but I think it’s now or never, really.”
If Joshua-Wilder doesn’t happen, it’ll be interesting to see who Eddie Hearn uses for his backup plan. Would Hearn dare to match Joshua against Filip Hrvovic or Arslanbek Makhmudov?
“Just take it, fight Wilder. He’s being paid enormously, apparently,” said Davies. “He’s just coming off the back of a massive highlight reel knockout [of Robert Helenius]. Yes, he was cautious, and he can’t be cautious against Wilder.
“People like David Haye and Tony Bellew believe he [Joshua] should have another fight. Carl Froch has slated him, and says he gets knocked out by Wilder. People like Don Charles and others believe he will get to Wilder.
“I want Anthony to do well; I want him to win. I want to see Fury & Joshua. I want him to come off the back of some wins, but again, I’m picking Wilder in that fight. I’m picking Wilder to get through and hurt Joshua by the seventh round.
“I just think he’s [Wilder] a stalking, predatory menace, and if you can’t get him on the back foot and keep him on the back foot, he’s going to land something, and he’s going to land something big.
“That’s all he’s looking for. It’s just that equalizing power in either hand. Fury has been down four times against him, hasn’t he?” said Davies.
