Joshua hints at double-header fixture with Fury vs. Usyk

Former WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua has hinted that his long-anticipated fight with Deontay Wilder could get more exciting  to look forward to. According to the boxer, the match could be part of a double-header, sharing the bill with Tyson Fury’s clash against Oleksandr Usyk. 

This potential pairing comes after both heavyweight champions, Fury and Usyk, agreed to a deal for a historic undisputed heavyweight bout slated for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Joshua revealed this to news outlets at the US Grand Prix that was held over the weekend. He said, “They want to put Usyk-Fury, Joshua-Wilder on the same night. That might not happen until April.” While the former two-time world heavyweight champion had been strongly linked to a showdown with American knockout artist Wilder, the fight didn’t materialize as no contracts were ever signed.

As for Fury, his focus for now is a non-title bout against MMA star Francis Ngannou, scheduled for this Saturday in Riyadh. Joshua expressed doubts that Fury would be ready to face Usyk in December after the Ngannou fight, considering it too short of a turnaround. Consequently, the expected timeframe for the undisputed heavyweight fight is March or April.

The plan, as conveyed by sources, is to create a mega card featuring both Fury-Usyk and Joshua-Wilder, generating significant excitement among boxing fans. This bout is setting out to be a historical one, as the winner will become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era. 

Fury, the WBC champion, and Usyk, holding the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles, both with zero losses in their pro boxing careers, are gearing to meet in what could be a defining moment for heavyweight boxing. Indeed, the outcome of the match will tip the heavyweight division, with one champion reigning at the top. 

Leon Osamor