Tag

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk

Browsing

ANTHONY JOSHUA could be in line for a world title shot while waiting out the winner of Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury and Usyk meet in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.

And a rematch is to follow due to a clause in their contracts – but not all the titles are expected to be on the line for the second bout.

Filip Hrgovic is the current IBF mandatory challenger and next in line for a shot at the strap.

READ MORE ;Date named for potential Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua mega-fight as AJ drops cryptic post over next opponent

And by the time the rematch for Fury, 35, vs Usyk, 37, comes around the IBF gold will likely be vacated to allow for Hrgovic’s shot.

Joshua, 34, is just behind Hrgovic in the rankings and promoter Eddie Hearn is eyeing that fight for the vacant title if it does indeed become free.

Anthony Joshua can beat Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury claims Derek Chisora  | DAZN News US

It would give AJ the chance to become a three-time world champ while setting up potentially another undisputed clash between Fury or Usyk.

Joshua is coming off four wins, most recently a knockout over MMA superstar Francis Ngannou, 37.

Meanwhile, Hrgovic is in talks to fight Britain’s Daniel Dubois in Saudi on June 1 with Deontay Wilder also lined up to face China’s Zhilei Zhang.

RELATED ;Francis Ngannou accuses Anthony Joshua team of wasting his time before the fight

It means if Dubois, 26, was to beat Hrgovic, 31, and inherit his right to challenge for the title, then Joshua could compete for it in an all-British blockbuster.

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren confirmed the heavyweight is in talks for his next bout but welcomed the Joshua showdown in the future.

Watch: Anthony Joshua Schools Francis Ngannou With Second-Round Knockout in  Saudi Arabia | MMA News, Times Now

Warren told Sky Sports: “Daniel, at the moment we’re negotiating a fight.

 

“I can’t go into the details but it’s going to be a very meaningful fight – a very meaningful fight for him.

UPDATE ;Anthony Joshua ‘back’ and tipped to beat Tyson Fury after overcoming ‘mental block’ in Francis Ngannou fight

“I’d love to see that fight. An all British affair, there’s nothing like one of those for us over here. I’d love to see that.”

World Boxing Council President, Mauricio Sulaiman, has said the organisation would “accept” Anthony Joshua going on to face the winner of the fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship.

Fury and Usyk go head-to-head on May 18 in Saudi Arabia for all the belts.

The two boxers are expected to fight again in a rematch expected to take place later in the year.

READ MORE ;Francis Ngannou next fight after Anthony Joshua has already been announced

Joshua will be waiting for the winner, after recording a devastating second-round knockout victory over former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, last weekend.

“The WBC was presented a sanction request which was to fight for the undisputed. The WBC accepted that sanctioning and we accepted the rematch they have requested,” Sulaiman told Sky Sports.

Anthony Joshua should wait for Oleksandr Usyk to fight Tyson Fury or  Deontay Wilder, claims Bob Arum | DAZN News US

“But, if it is not anything to do with contractual or promotion, we would absolutely accept the winner to fight Joshua.

RELATED ;Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou: Tyson Fury poses for pictures with rival Joshua

“The WBC position right now is very open to support the undisputed champion taking on the fights that the fans want to see.”

Anthony Joshua targets the winner of Tyson Fury’s undisputed world heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk on May 18; the British star inflicted a brutal knockout on Francis Ngannou in the second round in Saudi Arabia

Anthony Joshua welcomed a blockbuster bout against the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk after a brutal knockout of Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

The British heavyweight star floored Ngannou twice before finishing the fight in the second round with a huge right hand that sent the MMA star crashing to the canvas before the referee waved it off.

READ MORE ;LIVE: Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou – Heavyweight Boxing

“This is the thing with boxing, it only takes one shot in the heavyweight division,” said Joshua.

“Who knows where it will take me. Imagine in five years I won’t be fighting any more, this will all be said and done, so I’m trying to make the most of it.”

Anthony Joshua gives class response to Francis Ngannou's knockout claim,  casts doubt on Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk

 

Asked if his target is the Fury vs Usyk winner, Joshua said: “Yes it is!”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn echoed this challenge, saying: “You are looking at the baddest man on the planet. The No 1 heavyweight in the world.

“There’s a brilliant fighter down there in Tyson Fury. Please beat Oleksandr Usyk, because you will get the biggest fight of all time.”

Joshua has rebounded with four straight victories after back-to-back points losses to Usyk and admits he adopted a more clinical approach under the guidance of new trainer Ben Davison.

JUST IN ;Tyson Fury warns Anthony Joshua of Francis Ngannou threat and welcomes Battle of Britain after Oleksandr Usyk clash

“It’s not that satisfying, it is what it is,” said Joshua. “My life doesn’t really change. You realise how much your life changes when you lose, when you win it’s onto the next.

“I questioned myself. It’s a tough game, the heavyweight division. We got the job done, people can question me, I do my best every time, but I’m not even buzzing about the win, onto the next, let’s go.

Watch: Anthony Joshua Schools Francis Ngannou With Second-Round Knockout in  Saudi Arabia | MMA News, Times Now

“With Ngannou tonight, if I was the old AJ, it would have been strength versus strength, a fight that would have taken years out of my career, but because of my progression, the sacrifice I’ve made, I’ve been able to go in there and take little punishment.

UPDATE ;Every detail you should know about the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fight

“You have to be a student of the game to put on performances like that. It doesn’t do much for my career.”

Referring to Fury and Usyk, he added: “If they want me they can come knocking at my door. I just want to be my best each and every time. Nothing changes for me.

“If they do knock on the door, I say let’s go.”