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DIRIYAH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 07: Anthony Joshua poses for a photo with the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title belts after the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title Fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua during the Matchroom Boxing ‘Clash on the Dunes’ show at the Diriyah Season on December 07, 2019 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
via Getty
DIRIYAH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 07: Anthony Joshua poses for a photo with the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title belts after the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title Fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua during the Matchroom Boxing ‘Clash on the Dunes’ show at the Diriyah Season on December 07, 2019 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The sudden departure of Tyson Fury from unification fight talks with Anthony Joshua has urged Oleksandr Usyk to slide into the mix. While Fury seems to be going after Deontay Wilder for a third meeting, Joshua is also looking to remain active and can defend his titles against the WBO mandatory contender Usyk.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is still optimistic about staging the unification title fight on August 14. However, if it doesn’t happen, Hearn has chalked out a plan for Joshua vs Usyk. The current heavyweight division is full of elite contenders, and thus, ‘AJ’ didn’t have to break much sweat to find a viable contender.
Per Mike Coppinger, the heavyweight world title fight is expected to happen on August 21 or August 28. WBO President Francisco Varcarcel has also passed a green signal to the matchup and has hoped for an intriguing collision ahead.
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“Hope boxing fans will enjoy AJ vs Usyk in the near future,” said the WBO Kingpin.
Two dates reportedly being considered for Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk are August 21st and August 28th. [According to @MikeCoppinger]
Fight talks began today and the WBO president has said: “Hope boxing fans will enjoy AJ vs Usyk in the near future.”
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 18, 2021
Nevertheless, the confusion over Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua is still too scratchy. While it is possible that meet each other by the end of this year, there is also a possibility that their nearing rivals shatter all the plans. So, a heavyweight title unification battle is still up in the air.
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Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua – A total mess
As of now, WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is rumored to lock horns with former titlist Deontay Wilder in the trilogy clash. Since Wilder has won the arbitrary case of bagging the bout, he can close his rivalry with Fury this year.
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Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has reportedly finalized the fight in the Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas, citing July 24 as the possible date. While Tyson Fury has also begun trash-talking Wilder via social media, he doesn’t seem to be facing Anthony Joshua next.
via Getty
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 03: Anthony Joshua looks on ahead of the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Title Fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua during the Clash On The Dunes Public Work Out at Public at the Investment Fund office complex on December 03, 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Moreover, Anthony Joshua‘s reported move to defend his belts against Oleksandr Usyk has further delayed the unification fight. Only if the current champions retain their belts, we can expect them to lock horns somewhere down the line. But the boxing politics seems way too vicious for the materialization of the battle.
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Do you think Fury v Joshua will happen this year?
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