Tyson Fury is just favourite in the early betting for his planned megafight against Anthony Joshua, with the first bout in a likely double-header potentially lined up for next summer.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn announced to Sky Sports on Wednesday afternoon that both fighters.had ‘agreed in principle’ to a two-fight deal, with the financial structure in place.
Fury himself took to Twitter shortly afterwards to confirm the news – shouting: “Get in there boy!” and thanking his backroom deal for getting the deal “over the line”. He also roared: “I got to smash Wilder first, then I’ll annihilate Joshua”.
If and when the fight or fights happen they are certain to be massive betting events, and the early odds favour Fury (30-0-1) – who was utterly dominant in destroying the hitherto unbeaten Deontay Wilder in February to claim the WBC title. He is currently as short as 10/21 to continue his unbeaten career, and as long as 4/7 in places.
Joshua (23-1) meanwhile – who avenged that shock first professional defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr with a masterful points success in Saudi Arabia last December – is the underdog and as big as 17/11 in places.
Before Fury vs Joshua can take place, Fury must safely negotiate that third meeting with Wilder – a fighter who while technically limited still possesses huge power in his right hand. Fury is currently a best-priced 2/7 to defeat ‘The Bronze Bomber’ again while Wilder the underdog is available at 3/1.
Joshua meanwhile is a best-priced 1/9 to see off his mandatory challenger – 39-year-old Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev (7/1). Both of those fights are expected to take place later this year.
Also lying in wait as an obstacle to the megafight is Dillian Whyte – the mandatory challenger for Fury’s WBC belt and in theory due a shot at the title early next year. Fury would be a 1/6 shot to come through that bout with Whyte 4/1 underdog.
In terms of the next undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Fury heads that market at 4/5 with Joshua a 6/4 shot. Wilder is next at 6/1 with Whyte the rank outsider at 25s.
