Anthony Joshua, Fury agree to two-fight deal

According to Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have agreed to meet in two blockbuster fights.

Hearn who has been in negotiations with Fury’s camp for several weeks said that the terms were in place for the British world heavyweight champions to go head to head.

No contracts have been signed yet, but Hearn expects WBA, IBF and WBO belt holder, Anthony Joshua to face WBC champion Fury to determine the undisputed king of the heavyweight scene in 2021.

“We’re making great progress. There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates,” Hearn said.

“We’re in a good place,” he added. 

“It’s fair to say that, in principle, both guys have agreed to that fight. Two fights. (There’s) a lot to overcome in the meantime. We’re moving in the right direction. I’m confident that both guys have given their blessings for the fight to go ahead.”

Hearn said the first bout could happen in the summer of 2021. Joshua is due to fight Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev next, while Fury has a rematch due with American Deontay Wilder.

Anthony Joshua not interested in fighting Mike Tyson

Anthony Joshua is not interested in fighting Mike Tyson, if the former heavyweight champion does make a comeback. This is because he thinks no one would want to see him win.

Tyson, 53, is plotting a return to the ring after working hard in training, getting in fearsome shape and releasing some impressive videos hitting the pads.

Iron Mike has also got back in the limelight by appearing at AEW and getting involved in a brawl with wrestling legend Chris Jericho.

Whether the youngest world heavyweight champion in history does step between the ropes again or not is yet to be seen, but it will not be against AJ.

The current WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight champ cannot see the upside in fighting Tyson, with the fans not wanting to see him beat Iron Mike.

“With all due respect I wouldn’t,” Joshua told news reporters.

“Even if I fought Iron Mike and beat him, I think I’d be the only one cheering. People would boo. He is a legend. He is the greatest boxer of the modern era."

"I need a girlfriend who will grow with me" - Anthony Joshua

British Nigerian heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has opened up on his challenges in finding “someone to grow with”.

Joshua lamented that he needs a girlfriend. Speaking in an interview with The Sun, the 30-year-old father of one said, 

“I think you can date and still be a successful sportsman but it’s hard to find a balance and I would have to compromise — which I’ve not felt able to do.

My dad never gave me advice about much. But in terms of relationships what I have learnt and what I tell my son is, it would be nice to find a high school sweetheart and to grow together because as you get older you get set in your ways.

For me to have a relationship now means I would have to compromise and change my ways and I don’t know how easy that would be for me to do.

So I do date but I don’t get to the stage where I actually put anyone into that position. I don’t have a girlfriend and I haven’t had one for a while. But as I get older I do think it would be nice to have someone, someone to grow with as well — but I honestly haven’t found anyone.”

How would you advise Anthony Joshua? What will you have him do to strike a balance between his career and a romantic relationship?

"I'll knock Joshua out in third round" - Fury

Tyson Fury has predicted he will knock out Anthony Joshua inside three rounds – with a left hook.

The heavyweight world champions are on a collision course for 2021, assuming they both come through their respective title defences.

Fury must defeat Deontay Wilder for a second time while Joshua is due to defend his three belts against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.

Those fights are expected to take place this winter with Fury and Joshua then meeting early next year, likely in Saudi Arabia.

And Fury expects an easy night as he bids to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

“AJ’s style is tailor made for mine. He’s an upright fighter walking forward with a classic defence,” he told Sky Sports. 

“Strong and powerful. He’s got no footwork, hardly any resilience. And he’s a bit gutless when it comes down to getting clipped.

I think I’d knock him out in round two, three rounds. First time I connect on him, his legs will do a dance and I’ll just jump on him like the little fat kid did in America that time.

It’s going to be a left hook to the temple, and you’re going to see him doing a Bambi dance all over the ring.”

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn believes the rivals could fight twice next year.

"You either fight or vacate the title " - Kubrat Pulev tells Anthony Joshua

Kubrat Pulev, mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua, reigning world heavyweight champion, has warned the British boxer to “either fight or vacate the title”.

The Bulgarian professional boxer was scheduled to meet Joshua on June 20, but the fight was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

But there are continuous rumours of a possible unification bout between Joshua and Tyson Fury, slayer of Deontay Wilder.

Pulev appeared to have been angered by any suggestion that he could step aside and allow Joshua take on Fury.

“I can’t understand why we are still postponing instead of fixing a date and venue and getting to work?,” BBC quote Pulev, who previously stepped aside due to injury in 2017, to have asked.

“Enough is enough. I can’t wait to win this fight. I see how people are afraid of me and are trying to face someone else before me. That’s not how a real world champion should act.”

Joshua holds the IBF, WBA and WBO belts and wants Fury’s WBC belt.

However, it seems both boxers would have to wait for the unification chance because their challengers are not ready to step aside — especially a tough talking Pulev — despite the possibility of earning money without fighting.

“I did it once when I didn’t have to do it for Joshua to have his second match against Ruiz Jr. Everything was against IBF’s rules, but I compromised,” Pulev continued.

“A year has passed and they always have a reason to postpone, not to fight against me. There are two options. You either fight or vacate the title.”

The 30-year-old British-Nigerian boxer was initially due to fight Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in October 2017. The Bulgarian, however, withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury during sparring.