Frank Warren is one of the men looking to put together the biggest fight in British boxing history – a world heavyweight title unification match between British megastars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
But while on one level the likelihood of the pair meeting in 2021 appears to be growing, Warren – who promotes Fury along with Bob Arum – has a sneaking feeling Joshua’s camp are not completely up for it.
Eddie Hearn – whose Matchroom operation promotes Joshua – and Fury himself have both spoken about the potential for a double-header in 2021. But Warren has his doubts.
Warren latest on Fury vs Joshua
He told talkSPORT.com: “My concern, first and foremost, although they talk about it a lot Matchroom, I don’t think they want the fight. I don’t think they want to put AJ in with Tyson, I really don’t think so.
“I hear all the noises, but actions speak louder than words and at the moment it seems to me – and I’m not normally wrong on things like this – I’ve got a gut feeling they don’t want it and I think that’s for a reason.
“I think Tyson’s the best heavyweight on the planet, there’s no doubt about that, and it’s a big risk for them. It’s a feeling from me, I’ve never had any conversations because I don’t deal with them. I know they’ve had talks with the MTK people, I know there’s also been conversations with Bob Arum, but I’ve told them all the way through this I don’t think they want it.
“If Tyson, which I believe he will do, beats AJ, then they’ve got a problem.”
Before Fury vs Joshua can happen, both men first have fights to negotiate this year. WBC and Ring magazine king Fury has a contractual obligation to fight American Deontay Wilder for a third time, while Joshua must face Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev, the mandatory challenger for his IBF, WBA and WBO belts.