Home/Boxing

A blockbuster heavyweight thriller between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is being talked about for years. However, several hurdles have prevented the matchup from materializing.

While both Brits hold their respective World Championships at this moment, they also have their mandatory challengers to come across. Thus, Joshua and Fury will not face each other anytime soon.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

That said, WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk doesn’t want to miss on a crack at Joshua after the latter gets done with Kubrat Pulev in December. It is no surprise that Usyk vs Joshua is a spectacular matchup, but it is also an obstacle for Fury vs Joshua at this point.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua matchup might be the next cursed fight of combat sports

At this stage, Fury will defend his WBC belt against Deontay Wilder in December. Meanwhile, Joshua will put his WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF title on the line against Kubrat Pulev.

It was believed that Fury and Joshua would have battled each other after these scheduled fights. However, Usyk’s sudden entrance can postpone the Brit heavyweight showdown further.

As per Eddie Hearn, Usyk doesn’t want to step aside from facing Joshua. Meanwhile, Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk has said that the winner of Pulev vs Joshua will have to defend the WBO title against his client.

“Usyk has been the WBO mandatory challenger for more than one year. He has agreed to let AJ versus Pulev happen, with regards that the winner fights him next. This statement is still solid,” Krassyuk told Sky Sports.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Usyk will have to validate his spot by beating Dereck Chisora in their upcoming fight. They are set to lock horns in October or November. That said, Usyk might lose his spot if Chisora gets the win.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Well, that will still not bring back the talks of Fury vs Joshua. Why? Joshua must cement his dominance against Pulev, and Fury must get through Wilder before they can fight. Thus, Fury vs Joshua is still a fantasy fight with minute possibilities of happening.