British fight fans may finally get to see Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua step through the ropes together.
The two heavyweights could have, at one stage, fought for the undisputed championship. Negotiations stalled, other opponents were ordered and the fight was once again put on ice.
Since then they have faced a number of shared opponents, one of which is former UFC Champion Francis Ngannou. The big-punching boxing debutant dropped Fury and lasted the full ten round distance but ultimately lost the decision.
In his next bout against ‘AJ’, he was stopped in two rounds. Speaking to IFL TV after that defeat, Ngannou predicted a Joshua win should the two big Brits face off.
“I don’t know, I would give it to AJ right now.”
Of course if it was a form prediction, that may have now changed as both men have since taken losses. Fury has been bested twice over the distance by Oleksandr Usyk, who had previously scored a double over Joshua.
Whilst ‘The Gypsy King’ was competitive in his last outing,Joshua was wiped out by young Daniel Dubois in five rounds. It is that defeat that will likely put Fury as favourite in the minds of most if the fight does happen.
Is it likely? Fury’s team remained coy on the prospect post-Usyk loss, instead focusing on a break for their man. ‘AJ’s side are more forceful, admitting that there are only two bouts – Fury and a rematch with Dubois – that are now important to the final chapter of his career.
