Frank Warren has provided an update on the road to Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua, and it makes for frustrating reading for fight fans eager to see the all-British heavyweight blockbuster.
A clash between WBC and Ring magazine king Fury and IBF, WBA and WBO title holder Joshua would be the biggest fight ever staged in the UK if it took places on these shores.
But first Fury is contractually obliged to meet deposed WBC champion Deontay Wilder in their third fight after following up a thrilling Los Angeles draw in December 2018 with a dominant victory by way of a seventh-round KO in Las Vegas in February 2020.
That fight had been scheduled for July, but the spread of the global COVID-19 pandemic means it is now unlikely to happen until late in the year according to Warren – who promotes Fury along with American Bob Arum.
Frank Warren on Fury vs Wilder 3
Warren also clarified that no offers have been made to Wilder to “step aside” so Fury can move straight on to a potential showdown with Joshua – despite rumours growing on that score during the past week.
The promoter told punching.tv: “I don’t think it will happen until October or November. No offers have been made (for Wilder to step aside). As far as Tyson’s concerned no offers whatsoever have been made to Wilder or his team. At the moment, there is a contract in place that has to be honoured.”
Frank Warren on Fury vs Joshua
Warren has no doubt about what will happen when the pair finally get into the ring together to complete their trilogy.
“I think Tyson beats him every day of the week, and twice if they fight on Sundays.”
As for a megafight between Fury and Joshua to unify the world heavyweight title belts, Warren is not surprisingly salivating at the prospect, just like fight fans all around the country.
“I hope it does happen. For the sake of British sport and British boxing. It’s something that everybody wants to see happen. I want to see it happen because we’ve all got opinions, our opinions on who we think we feel will win.
“I feel that Tyson has the beating of him as I always felt from day one that Tyson always had the beating of Deontay Wilder – and was proved twice – albeit the first fight he didn’t get the decision – he was cheated. But I think if we can get them in the ring the same thing will happen I believe with AJ. I think Tyson has the beating of him as well.
“I think in a lot of departments he’s better. He’s got a better chin than Joshua, he’s a much more accomplished boxer than Joshua. I think his jab is better than Joshua, I think his punch power is equal to Joshua as you’ve seen in his last fight when put it on Wilder, took the fight to him and stopped him. I think he beats him in all departments.”
