Joshua ready to face Fury

According to Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, the British-Nigerian could fight Tyson Fury this year and is willing to make the bout immediately if Fury’s proposed meeting with Oleksandr Usyk falls through.

Talks were held over a meeting between Joshua and Fury following the former’s second defeat to Usyk last August, but the Gypsy King ultimately faced Derek Chisora on his return to the ring in December, while Joshua will take on Jermaine Franklin in April.

A deal for Fury and Usyk to clash in the same month is reportedly close to being agreed, but Joshua’s promoter Hearn is waiting in the wings if an agreement cannot be reached.

“I’m happy to make Joshua and Fury right now for the summer, whether Fury wins or loses against Usyk,” Hearn told BBC Sport.

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“If the Usyk fight doesn’t get made, our message to team Fury is that we’ll make the fight now, for straight after the Franklin fight. Whatever way Tyson Fury wants to look at it, the fight with Joshua will give him the pay day he wants. He wants to make as much money as possible, and rightfully so, he’s a fantastic fighter.

“The fight with Joshua breaks all records. I understand their focus is to make the Usyk fight, but we’re ready if they want Joshua.”

While Saudi Arabia was initially suggested as a possible location for the Fury-Usyk fight, Wembley Stadium is now seen as the most likely venue, and Hearn believes the absence of Joshua has harmed the fighters’ attempts to secure backing from the Middle East.

“They’ve obviously gone to the Middle East to get that money, and failed because Anthony Joshua is not involved in that fight, and now they’ve gone to Wembley,” Hearn added.

“I don’t know how they get the numbers that Fury will demand for that fight, but if they can, brilliant. Hopefully for boxing it gets made because any time there’s an undisputed clash it’s great for the sport.

“It doesn’t matter if they failed in their attempt to secure a big Middle East fight or whatever has happened, it’s tremendous for British boxing if it does come home.”