Tyson Fury has launched a trial offer, so to speak, to Anthony Joshua, looking to face his longtime media rival in a “Battle of Britain” for the WBC (and linear!) heavyweight title. !!!!) by the end of the year.
It’s a surprise move, with Fury and Oleksandr Usyk being the fight they want the most right now, as Usyk has beaten Joshua twice and he and Fury have made their challenges in the media recently.
“I think everyone has heard that I am going to fight soon, within the next few months. I think before announcing an opponent, I need to do this, just in case,” Fury began in a statement posted on social media.
“Anthony Joshua, I know you just lost a fight with Usyk and you don’t have a belt right now. I would like to give him the opportunity to fight me for the WBC World Heavyweight Championship and the lineal championship in the next few months. You’re coming off a 12-round fight, so you’re fit, you’re ready. I’ll let you know a few months in advance. If you are interested, I will send you the date and we can discuss.
“A ‘Battle of Britain’ for the WBC world heavyweight championship. Let me know if you are interested. If not, I will select another opponent.”
Fury’s message, which you can see here, was delivered clearly and directly, with no theatrics in his voice or demeanor.
Why would Fury (32-0-1, 23 KO) offer the fight to Joshua (24-3, 22 KO), who is coming off two straight losses to Usyk? There are reasons.
First of all, Tyson Fury is a freak, and he may just be a game to piss off Usyk, or just piss off AJ and Eddie Hearn; you never really know with Tyson. Man does and says exactly what he pleases for a wide variety of reasons.
Fury vs Joshua would also be a big money fight and realistically, if Fury doesn’t plan on staying in the sport much longer, it might be his last chance to do so. It’s not ideal, but it can be all there is.
That said, a “Battle of Britain” fight between Fury and Joshua taking place “in the next few months” (Fury has indicated he’d like to fight in December) isn’t ideal either, because a December fight at a stadium in the UK is complicated. The only retractable roof stadium in the UK is Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, which is certainly big enough, with a capacity of 78,000 for boxing. Joshua fought Wladimir Klitschko there in 2017, and it would work as a venue, but whether or not there is money to do this fight in Cardiff is another question.
Otherwise, the “Battle of Britain” that will take place “a few months from now” would probably have to take place in Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.
