“There Won’t Be an Anthony Joshua After June 20” – Tyson Fury’s Promoter

For most of the boxing fans around the world, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua seem to be on paths that will eventually cross each other. However, the promoter of “The Gypsy King”, Bob Arum, is pretty confident that it wouldn’t be the case. Arum’s certainty comes from the fact that he also the promoter of Kubrat Pulev, who will challenge Joshua for the WBO, WBA and IBF belts in June.

The Bulgarian Pulev is riding an eight-fight winning streak. His last defeat came at the hands of the former heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2014. Top Rank chief, Bob Arum, is very adamant that Joshua will not be able to get past his client. “Take it to the bank,” he said. “There won’t be an Anthony Joshua after June 20.”

The much-hyped up contest between Fury and AJ, dubbed as the “Battle of Britain”, started looking like an achievable dream after Fury knocked out Deontay Wilder in the seventh round in their rematch. However, his opponent immediately activated the rematch clause and the two will meet once again in the summer this year. Meanwhile, Joshua also has his next opponent in front of him. AJ lost the belt last year against Andy Ruiz before reclaiming it six months later.

Bob Arum has no problem setting up Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua, but pretty sure it wouldn’t happen

In both their respective fights later this year, Joshua and Fury will enter the ring as favourites. However, Joshua’s task seems a bit tougher than that of Fury. The 38-year-old Pulev was already scheduled to fight Joshua back in 2017. But a shoulder injury forced him out of the bout instead. This will be his second chance to capture the belt. However, if he does fall short again, Arum has no issue discussing Fury vs Joshua with Eddie Hearn.

He said, “I would have no problem working with him (Eddie Hearn) on a unification show, but I am telling you it ain’t going to happen.”

Pulev has already hired a new boxing trainer, Joe Goossen. This is a tactic that is very similar to his promotional stablemate Tyson Fury. Even he had switched trainers just weeks before his fight with Deontay Wilder. Whether this change works or not will determine what course of action Fury vs Joshua takes.