British boxing superstar Anthony Joshua has hit back at “bulls**t” claims he’s agreed to step aside and let Tyson Fury fight Oleksandr Usyk. Reports emerged suggesting a £15million fee had been agreed for Joshua to bow out of an Usyk rematch, but the former unified heavyweight world champion took to social media to deny a deal is in place.
Joshua, 32, is first in line for a shot at Usyk after activating a rematch clause following their fight in September when the Ukrainian triumphed via unanimous decision.
However, it’s understood Fury wants to have the first crack at Usyk as he seeks to unify the heavyweight belts before facing Joshua in a much-anticipated winner-takes-all duel.
As things stand, the ‘Gypsy King’ is on course to face Dillian Whyte, the mandatory challenger for his WBC belt, though there have been difficulties agreeing the purse share.
Amid talk of a restructure in regards to whom fights whom, 24-2 Joshua has instructed his followers to not listen to “the bulls**t” and wait for official word.
“You know what’s mad about all these interviews I see? I see certain interviews that quote what I said,” the Londoner said in a video shared by boxing journalist Michael Benson.
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“Don’t listen to the bulls**t from other sources, if I tell you something then you know it’s real.”
While reports have suggested Joshua would be open to accepting a substantial enough offer to not fight undefeated Usyk, the same cannot be said for Whyte as he gears up to meet Fury.
The 28-2 Whyte suffered a shock fifth-round knockout loss to Alexander Povetkin in August 2020, but he came back in March last year to redeem himself with a fourth-round TKO.
Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn recently lamented the 20 per cent split Whyte had been offered to face Fury but said a meeting in “April, early May potentially” looked realistic.
“[It] looks like Dillian Whyte will definitely get his shot at the WBC title, but we have to fight for his rights and make sure it’s fair,” said Hearn.
“It’s not going to stand in the way of the fight.”
It’s understood any rematch between Joshua and Usyk is also expected to take place around April, and Hearn has said there are “substantial amounts of money” on the table for both fighters.
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