Tyson Fury has described as the “biggest load of rubbish ever” reports that he is in talks for an undisputed world heavyweight title showdown in Saudi Arabia later this year.
‘The Gypsy King’ says he is retired after retaining his WBC, Ring magazine and lineal heavyweight titles by knocking out fellow Brit Dillian Whyte inside six one-sided rounds at a packed Wembley Stadium in April.
Many experts do not believe Fury (32-0-1) will stay retired of course, at the age of 33 he is arguably at the peak of his powers now coming off a pair of terrific wins over Deontay Wilder and then that similarly impressive defeat of Whyte.
Report links Fury to undisputed clash
So it came as no surprise to see Fury being linked with a return to the ring, this time by the Daily Mail, which claims he is being lined up to face the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2.
The report claimed Fury is talking to Saudi Arabia representatives about a potential undisputed showdown on December 17, the day before soccer’s 2022 World Cup final takes place in Qatar.
‘Gypsy King’ hits back
Fury though responded on Twitter, and to say he was unimpressed would be an understatement. He said: “This is all news to me. Biggest load of rubbish ever!”
This is all news to me! Biggest load of rubbish ever! https://t.co/DitcHKIKr4
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) June 11, 2022
Usyk and Joshua are expected to finally announce their rematch in the coming days, with AJ also set to finally confirm his new broadcast partner in the UK (latest reports suggest DAZN may have moved ahead of Sky Sports in the race for his signature).
The Ukrainian of course owns the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles now, while Fury holds the other recognised titles.
So a bout between the Morecambe behemoth and the Usky/Joshua 2 winner would crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis back in 1999.
In 2021 Fury and Joshua came very close to meeting with all of those heavyweight baubles on the line – Fury announced an August showdown had been set for Saudi Arabia, with a record site fee set to be paid out. But then Wilder won an arbitration ruling to force a third meeting with Fury, Joshua fought Usyk instead, and promptly lost his titles.
While Fury vs Usyk would be an incredible box-office attraction, Fury vs Joshua would be even bigger – likely the biggest fight in British boxing history. Two home fighters locking horns for all the marbles in boxing’s marquee weight class.
From what Mr Fury says right now though, we may have to wait a little while longer.
