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Fury fight has to happen this year…

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TysonFury-AnthonyJoshua

Fury fight has to happen this year – Joshua

Heavyweight Anthony Joshua says a fight with Tyson Fury “has to happen this year” as he looks to book his next bout.

A fight between the two British rivals has been spoken about for years, but has never come to fruition.

But with both men coming back from defeats in world title fights, Joshua confirmed Fury was the opponent he wanted to face next.

“It’s a fight I want to see because I am a fan of boxing. When I am in the gym, everyone is asking me [about this fight]. I ain’t got many years ahead of me. I want to leave the game with a bang and make an impact,” Joshua said.

“Everyone is asking me the same question. It’s up to me to deliver, that’s why I’m saying it has to happen this year.

“I think we can make this fight happen.”

READ MORE:Usyk Summed Up Deontay Wilder’s Chances Of Ever Beating Anthony Joshua In Just..

Joshua was speaking at the Ring Magazine awards in London, where Fury was also in attendance.

While speaking about Fury, Joshua admitted no talks had yet taken place with Fury’s team about a potential fight.

Fury lost to unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk in December while Joshua was stopped by IBF title holder Daniel Dubois in his most recent outing in September.

Chris Eubank Jr was also in attendance alongside his own rival Conor Benn.

Benn and Eubank Jr have held lengthy talks about their fight ever since Benn’s anti-doping suspension was officially lifted in November.

Tyson Fury Anthony Joshua

The camps have disagreed about the purse split, but Eubank Jr says the bout remains on track to happen in 2025.

“That fight will happen,” Eubank Jr said.

“We’re in negotiations and they are going very well. We’re at the last few things we’ve got to smooth out and then the fight will get announced. So yeah, big things are happening very soon.”

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Klitschko third opponent to back Joshua against…

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TysonFury-AnthonyJoshua

Klitschko third opponent to back Joshua against Fury

Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has become the third high-profile boxer to back Anthony Joshua to defeat Tyson Fury in their potential 2025 showdown, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Ukrainian legend, who lost his world titles to Fury in 2015 before being stopped by Joshua in his final fight two years later, believes AJ’s all-round abilities would prove too much for the Gypsy King.

“Hands down Joshua,” Klitschko told Sky Sports. “He is getting to be the complete fighter. Technically, size-wise, weight-wise, power-wise. And he is a good learner.

“The other guy (Fury), like a fart in the wind, is there and it is gone. In the history of boxing, there are a lot of examples of this kind of guy.

READ MORE:Deontay Wilder Coach Makes Bold Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury..

Klitschko’s is similar to predictions from undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and former UFC star Francis Ngannou, who have both faced the British rivals.

The highly anticipated all-British clash is being targeted for Wembley Stadium next year, with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn describing it as “the biggest fight probably in the history of British boxing.”

Both fighters are looking to rebuild following recent setbacks, with Fury losing his unbeaten record after consecutive defeats to Usyk, while Joshua suffered a shock knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September.

Anthony joshua vs tyson fury

Klitschko, who reigned as unified heavyweight champion for over a decade, expressed concerns about Fury’s commitment to the sport.

“I wish Tyson well, but I think there is a lack of discipline there, and discipline is more important than motivation,” the Ukrainian added.

“Drawing from my experience, I would say it is going to be very difficult for Tyson because there’s that lack of discipline.”

This was evident when Fury nearly suffered an embarrassing defeat to boxing novice Ngannou last year, struggling to a controversial decision victory after entering the ring at a career-heaviest weight.

The potential clash could generate over $300m in revenue, with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh expressing interest in staging the fight during Riyadh Season.

Joshua, who has one fight remaining on his lucrative Riyadh Season contract, won’t return to action until at least May 2024, according to Hearn, with multiple options available including potential clashes with the winner of the WBC interim title fight between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel.

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How heavyweight division is shaping up – and fights we want…

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Daniel Dubois

How heavyweight division is shaping up – and fights we want to see

Oleksandr Usyk confirmed his status as the best heavyweight on the planet by beating Tyson Fury on points in their rematch.

The win sets up an intriguing selection of possible fights in 2025 as well as raising questions about the future of some of boxing’s biggest stars.

Will we finally get Fury v Anthony Joshua? Will Daniel Dubois get his shot at revenge against Usyk? Which fights are happening and which are possible?

BBC Sport analyses the heavyweight fight scene.

Which fights do we know are happening?

The next heavyweight world title fight is Dubois’ IBF defence against Joseph Parker on 22 February. That bout will probably have a huge bearing on what fights are next for the biggest stars.

READ MORE:Anthony Joshua’s proposed rematch date with Daniel Dubois confirmed by Saudi boxing chief

On that undercard is another intriguing heavyweight clash between China’s Zhilei Zhang and undefeated German Agit Kabayel – an encounter which should tell us a lot about the latter’s capabilities at world level.

Meanwhile, veteran Derek Chisora faces Otto Wallin in Manchester on 8 February.

Most of the other heavyweight contenders do not currently have fights booked, including unbeaten British champion Fabio Wardley.

Could Usyk really return to cruiserweight?

Usyk’s next fight will largely depend on what happens between Dubois and Parker.

The two-weight undisputed champion has teased a move back down to cruiserweight, but that seems more a personal desire rather than something which makes the most financial sense.

Dubois will consider himself the top contender and is desperate to have another crack at Usyk after his loss to the Ukrainian in 2023 was marred by a tight call on a low blow.

Daniel Dubois

Should Dubois beat Parker, a fight with Usyk could happen in the summer of 2025.

Were Parker to win, Dubois might demand a rematch or perhaps even Joshua would emerge as a potential contender considering he beat Parker in 2018.

And what about retirement for 37-year-old Usyk?

Speaking on the 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast, Anthony Crolla says Usyk has already achieved “immortality” in boxing.

“He should have put his gloves in the middle of the ring [after beating Fury] and walked away on a massive high,” Crolla said.

“I think when [Usyk’s] manager spoke, he seemed certain [Usyk] wouldn’t be retiring.

“I think we’ll see him fighting next year. If he does and Usyk fights Dubois again, he’s expected to win when he’s already stopped him but I think that’s a far harder fight this time.”

Retirement or continue – Fury’s big decision

Fury, 36, sees himself at a crossroads in his career. He could retire or opt to pursue an all-British bout against long-time rival Joshua.

Bunce was at ringside for Saturday’s rematch against Usyk and believes Fury will continue fighting.

‘The Gypsy King’ has retired a few times before in his career, announcing he was finished with the sport in April 2022 only to reverse that decision a few months later.

“We might be closer than ever to seeing him walking away for good,” Bunce said of Fury.

“I really don’t want to see him coming back at 38 in 18 months’ time. If he’s going to walk away, I want to see him go forever.”

Joshua seems the obvious fight and – now both men are nursing defeats and without world titles – it could be a perfect opportunity for them to finally face off in the ring.

Who is the top contender from the next generation?

This is the big question. Dubois’ profile has exploded since he stopped Joshua in September. At 27, he is one of the youngest elite heavyweights.

He is younger than almost every one of his direct rivals including Fury, Usyk and Parker. One man who is younger than him is another Briton, Moses Itauma.

The 19-year-old stopped Demsey McKean in one round on Saturday in a hugely impressive performance against a man who had competed in over 100 more rounds and 14 more fights than him.

Itauma turns 20 on 28 December and, after 25-year-old Johnny Fisher struggled against Dave Allen, has emerged as the next big heavyweight hope.

There are others who will believe they can put their names in the mix including Scotland-based Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole, unbeaten Australian Justis Huni and undefeated Irishman Thomas Carty.

Another contender worth mentioning is Lawrence Okolie, 31, the former cruiserweight world champion who announced himself at heavyweight with a one-round KO earlier this month.

Four heavyweight fights we want to see in 2025

Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury

Moses Itauma v Fabio Wardley

Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois 2

Johnny Fisher v Lawrence Okolie

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Anthony Joshua’s trainer responds to critics of ‘roll the dice’ advice during defeat to…

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Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois

Anthony Joshua’s trainer responds to critics of ‘roll the dice’ advice during defeat to Daniel Dubois

Joshua was badly beaten by Duboisin a brutal stoppage defeat in September, having been dropped to the canvas four times during the fight.

in the fifth round as AJ returned to his orner, his coach Davison urged him to ‘roll the dice’ and push the pace against Dubois.

It appeared to work as he began landing some powerful shots on Dubois, with the crowd roaring as he let his hands go in the stanza.

But his gung-ho approach ultimately saw him fall victim to a devastating counter right hand which left him slumped on the ropes.

It was a savage shot which closed the show and condemned Joshua to defeat, which led to an inquest from boxing fans and pundits into the corner advice.

READ MORE:Anthony Joshua’s proposed rematch date with Daniel Dubois confirmed by Saudi boxing chief

Although Davison insists he will not shy away from criticism, insisting Joshua simply wasn’t weathering the storm.

“In terms of the ‘roll the dice’ I don’t shy back on that,” he said on talkSPORT White & Jordan.

“The comments from Shane [McGuigan] were to tell him to weather the storm and try and do it down the stretch.

“He had tri to weather the storm and we weren’t able to do that and Daniel has a good question down the stretch.

Anthony Joshua

“And for us to get back in the fight we needed to roll the dice. Not long after that was the most success he had in hurting Dubois.

“He out a right hand behind his jab and took a chance. I don’t blame him that he got carried away after four rounds.

“But unfortunately came up short, we take that as a team and of course there were things that went wrong and we can address that.”

Davison had been on an extremely positive spell with Joshua, having guided him to dominant wins oertto  Wallin and Francis Ngannou previously.

It was believed to be the dream partnership for Joshua, but he now faces a rebuild which appears as though it will still take place under the stewardship of Davison.

Analysis of the Dubois defeat has led many critics to a number of different theories including his behaviour during his ring walk.

But Davison has dismissed these and believes excuses are not the way forward for Joshua and his team.

Davison added: “It is hard to say based on how he looked and I can’t comment on how he walked to the ring.

“It’s important for us that we don’t look like were making excuses. There were things that went wrong we could have done a better job with.

“But you can sometimes say those things and come out victorious so you can’t point the blame.

“We’ve got to own it and wear it, we haven’t made any excuses. Unfortunately we took a loss and we have to take it on the chin.”

Joshua looked set to rematch Dubois but the fight was shelved, with the former champion now facing a return in the spring or summer period in 2025.

He could now wait and see if he is able to face Tyson Fury, after he rematches Oleksandr Usyk this weekend.

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