Anthony Joshua has accepted Tyson Fury's offer for a heavyweight showdown - but won't fight on the proposed date of November 12.
Anthony Joshua has told Tyson Fury that he would be ready to
fight in December.
Joshua suffered the third defeat of his professional career
last month after he was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight title
rematch.
Fury, meanwhile, had hoped to fight Usyk this year for the
undisputed crown but the Ukrainian has insisted that he will not be in the ring
again until 2023 as he wants to recovery from his injuries and spend time with
his family.
Fury, who remains undefeated in 33 fights, challenged Joshua
in a ‘Battle of Britain’ contest in December this week.
“If you’re interested I’ll send you the date over and we can
rumble. A battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world,”
Fury said. “Let me know if you’re interested, if not I will select another
opponent.”
Joshua then replied to Fury on Twitter: “Yea calm.
“I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if
your (sic) really about it shout @258mgt [Joshua’s management team].I’ll be
ready in December.”
Meanwhile, Fury is willing to offer Anthony Joshua 40 per
cent of the purse to convince his British rival to fight him for the WBC
heavyweight title this year.
Fury claimed he was retiring after beating Dillian Whyte in
April but appears set to perform the latest of several U-turns over his future
in boxing.
“I’m being bombarded with messages on how much I’m going to
pay AJ – everyone is saying 80-20, 70-30, 75-25,” Fury said.
“The actual answer is I’ve offered him 60-40 – 40 per cent
of this amazing fight because I want this fight to happen.
“He doesn’t have any excuses now not to take it. He can’t
say I’ve low-balled him and offered him 20 or 30 per cent. I’ve offered (his)
people 40 per cent – take it or leave it.”