Anthony Joshua

Joshua and Fury may give up world titles

The all-British heavyweight showdown would be the first fight in history in which all four heavyweight titles are on the line.

Fury, 32, is WBC champion while Joshua, 31, holds the IBF, WBA and WBO belts.

"We have a fight on our hands, and sorry to the governing bodies, that eclipses all belts," promotoer Eddie Hearn said.

"We've just got to be a bit careful because you may be on the verge of saying, 'Let's just get rid of politics right now. Let's just drop all the belts because if we lose one belt, we might as well lose them all,' he told Matchroom Boxing.

Sporting his Christmas jumper, Tyson Fury has a foul-mouthed rant at Anthony Joshua

Fury, seldom short of a word or an opportunity to promote his clothing range, unleashed a tirade against Joshua, who knocked out challenger Kubrat Pulev, of Bulgaria, in the ninth round on Saturday night (Sunday NZT) at Wembley Arena.

Joshua was initially reluctant to mention a fight against Fury for the undisputed heavyweight crown in his post-bout interview, asking instead for the crowd for their opinion. Under further questioning on Sky Sport UK, he said “Whoever has the belt I would love to compete with them. If that is Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury.’’

Anthony Joshua retains world heavyweight titles with KO of Kubrat Pulev

Joshua had already knocked down the plucky but one-dimensional Pulev three times – twice in the third round – when he unleashed a right hook that sent the 39-year-old Bulgarian to the canvas once again.

This time, Pulev couldn't get up and Joshua raised his right fist in the air.

Anthony Joshua defending titles against Kubrat Pulev with Tyson Fury fight on horizon

The WBA, IBF and WBO belts are back in his possession. An agreement in principle has been reached with Tyson Fury, the WBC champion, for a two-fight deal in 2021 to unify the titles in an all-British blockbuster.

Nothing is ever straightforward in boxing – especially when arranging what would be one of the biggest fights in a generation, perhaps the biggest ever in Britain – but it appears there's one major obstacle in the way of an eagerly awaited Joshua-Fury bout next year.

Kubrat Pulev.

Anthony Joshua title fight back on

Briton Joshua was originally scheduled to fight Pulev in June but it was postponed because of coronavirus.

Joshua,beat Andy Ruiz to regain the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles in Saudi Arabia in December.

Pulev, is the IBF's mandatory challenger and says both fighters have signed contracts for the fight.

It is not clear if the fight will be behind closed doors because of Covid-19 restrictions.

     

Joshua and Fury agree two fight deal

The discussions over an undisputed world heavyweight title showdown between the two fighters began in early May and they have now agreed on initial terms for two encounters.

Joshua holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts, while Fury is the reigning WBC champion.

"We're making great progress," Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports News. "There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates.

"We have the Dillian Whyte mandatory which is due before this fight.

Joshua joins Black Lives Matter march

Joshua, one of Britain's highest-profile sportsmen, joined a march through the streets of his home town of Watford on Sunday (NZ time)before gathering in a park where he recited a poem written by a friend.

"The virus has been declared a pandemic," Joshua said. "This is out of control. And I'm not talking about Covid-19. The virus I'm talking about is called racism."

Kubrat Pulev warns Anthony Joshua he will not step aside for Tyson Fury bout

The Bulgarian is mandatory challenger for Joshua's IBF title but their planned bout on 20 June was postponed.

It led to talk of Pulev being paid to step aside so Joshua could face Tyson Fury for all four heavyweight belts.

"I can't understand why we are still postponing instead of fixing a date and venue and getting to work?" said Pulev.

"Enough is enough. I can't wait to win this fight.

"I see how people are afraid of me and are trying to face someone else before me. That's not how a real world champion should act."

Hearn promises Fury-Joshua fight, but fears Wilder rematch first

Fury captured the WBC belt in Las Vegas on Saturday with a seventh-round stoppage of Wilder and attention immediately turned to a unification bout with Joshua.

The WBA, WBO and IBF titles all belong to Joshua after he avenged his shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. with a points win in Saudi Arabia in December and Hearn has said Fury is the man his fighter wants next.

When Wilder was the WBC champion, a fight with Joshua proved too complicated to arrange, yet Hearn sees no issue now Fury is the belt-holder.

AJ fight set to be at Spurs' home

Saudi Arabia hosted Joshua's previous outing, the heavyweight regaining the IBF, WBA and WBO titles with a unanimous points win in his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in December.

Having avenged the only defeat of his professional career at the end of last year, the 30-year-old is now keen for a homecoming in 2020.

His last bout on English soil was back in September 2018, when he stopped Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium. The initial encounter with Ruiz took place in New York the following June, at the famous Madison Square Garden.