Anthony Joshua responds to Tyson Fury’s contract ultimatum

Fury was in Manchester on Saturday night to watch Joe Joyce beat Joseph Parker by knockout and revealed that he was prepared to walk away from a long-awaited bout against AJ if the contract was not signed by close of play on Monday.

‘I was optimistic about three weeks ago but it should not be taking this long to sign a contract,’ said the 34-year-old.

‘We will know by Monday anyway because if it is not done by Monday I’m moving on. I’m not waiting around for some guy who has lost three of his last five fights.

‘I don’t mind chucking him a bone but I don’t want them to start dictating s**t to me. He is an invited guest at my party. My rules. So if you want to play the game, come to the banquet and take your seat.’

But Fury’s comments were slammed by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who pointed to a nine-day delay in receiving the contract – partly owing to the death of Queen Elizabeth II – while even Frank Warren played down his fighter’s remarks.

There have been suggestions that the WBC heavyweight champion is already lining up Manuel Charr to fight instead and Joshua insists the fight will not fall through on his end, saying he is ready to put pen to paper on terms as soon as his lawyers have finished looking at the contract.

Asked on an Instagram Live on Sunday afternoon if he will sign the contract to fight Fury, Joshua responded: ‘I’ve been signing contracts for years. It’s not in my hands, it’s with the legal team.

‘That’s why you hire lawyers. If you know the history of boxing make sure you get the legal terms right, that’s why you get good management and good lawyers to make sure you get your business right.’

He added: ‘Of course I’m going to sign the contract, it’s just with some lawyers at the minute.’

Hearn – who has a meeting scheduled on Monday with Warren and various broadcasters – took a dim view of Fury’s ultimatum and deadline and suggested the only person who will get in the way of the fight is the Gypsy King himself.

‘If he doesn’t [want to fight Joshua], and I guess he doesn’t, then he’ll do what he’ll do and the fans might even fall for it. But what I am seeing, the fans aren’t falling for it,’ said Hearn.

‘We have a meeting on Monday, with DAZN, with BT, with everybody but it’s going to take time. If he wants to put a time frame of Monday on it then it’s clear to the whole public he doesn’t want the fight. It’s not getting signed on Monday so if he is walking away on Monday the fight is off.’

MORE : Tyson Fury sets final deadline for Anthony Joshua fight: ‘If it’s not done by Monday I am moving on’

MORE : ‘They want us to run out of time’ – Eddie Hearn fears Tyson Fury is now set to fight Manuel Charr instead of Anthony Joshua

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