Anthony Joshua says he’ll be ready in December in response to Tyson Fury’s offer to fight him in a WBC heavyweight world title fight.
‘AJ’ is coming off a second successive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, who first beat him by unanimous decision in London in September 2021 before winning a rematch in Saudi Arabia in August to solidify his status as the WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion.
It was hoped that Usyk’s win would set up a mouth-watering undisputed clash with Fury, who holds the only other major title in the division, but that fight will not happen next.
The Ukrainian recently revealed that he is suffering from undisclosed injuries that will keep him out of the ring for the rest of 2022, prompting Fury to begin his search for an alternative opponent.
The ‘Gypsy King’ claimed over the weekend that his next fight, which will take place later in 2022, will be announced in the coming days despite the fact an opponent is yet to be finalised.
-ADVERTISEMENT-
Now, it appears Joshua is the frontrunner to fight the 34-year-old after Fury took to Twitter to issue a direct call out to his long-time rival, who is believed to be targeting a return to action in December.
“I think you’ve all heard that I’m going to be fighting in the next few months. I think that before I announce an opponent, I need to do this, just in case,” Fury said in a video posted to his Twitter account.
“Anthony Joshua, I know you’ve just lost a fight to Usyk and you’re beltless at the moment. I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight me for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world and the lineal championship in the next few months.
‘A good fight of two losers’ – Oleksandr Usyk’s manager mocks Fury vs Joshua
“You’re coming off a 12-round fight, you’re match fit, you’re ready. I’m giving you a few months’ notice. If you’re interested, I’ll send you a date over and we can rumble. A battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“Let me know if you’re interested, if not, I will select another opponent.”
And Joshua seems more than up for the chance to fight Fury.
“Yea calm. I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if your really about it shout @258mgt. I’ll be ready in December. Khalas,” Joshua said quote tweeting a tweet from Fury’s account calling on Joshua to fight him.
Eddie Hearn recently revealed his plan is to slowly build Joshua back up with a fight before the end of the year before setting up a rematch with Dillian Whyte next summer.
However, Fury has just thrown a spanner in the works and we could well see the biggest British fight of all time in a matter of months.
jafaj1 