Sad news: Anthony Joshua turn down a contract that worth 788.6 million dors…..see details…..
Anthony Joshua could be a world champion again without fighting undisputed Oleksandr Usyk with the IBF set to strip the Ukrainian of one of his four belts
Anthony Joshua could fight for a world title as soon as September after Oleksandr Usyk is stripped of one of his belts.
The Ukrainian became the first undisputed heavyweight king in 25 years with his thrilling points victory over Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Fury’s team has indicated he will take the rematch, which is planned for October, back in Riyadh. In that case, it is unlikely that all four belts would be on the line again, with the IBF set to strip Usyk of their title for not fighting number one contender, currently Filip Hrgovic, the Croatian who is due to fight Britain’s Daniel Dubois in Riyadh on June 1.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, reckons it is unlikely Usyk will be stripped of the IBF strap in time for that belt to be on the line in Hrgovic vs Dubois. However, it could be on the line when Joshua potentially faces the winner of that bout at Wembley in September.
Hearn says his fighter would be ready to step in if Fury vs Usyk 2 doesn’t happen in October. However, as it stands, he expects the rematch to go ahead.
“He can step in and fight anybody,” Hearn told Boxing News on Thursday. “But if the rematch takes place, it’s very likely that AJ fights the winner of Hrgovic-Dubois. We’ll see what happens, anything is possible.”
Meanwhile, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, still expects the rematch to go ahead as well. He said: “There will be a rematch and that will be confirmed and announced in due course.
“I think it will be better than the original fight. They both know each other, they’ve shared the ring and they’ll be looking to use what they’ve gained from the fight as an advantage to beat their opponent.”
Asked why Fury would win the rematch, Warren said: “He’s a fighting man, it’s what he brings to the ring. He’s been caught a couple of times in his last couple of fights but he gets up and shows what he’s made of.
“I don’t want to see that happen. But like Usyk, he’s very similar, they’re very cute guys who know their boxing and I have confidence in Tyson. That fight has taken a lot out of both of them so we will see.”
