Tyson Fury has called on heavyweight rivals Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder to fight each other in order to crown an undisputed champion.
Several boxing fans have been calling for the heavyweights to fight each other since 2016 when all three men held versions of the world title.
Wilder recorded an emphatic first round knockout victory over Dominic Breazeale in Brooklyn at the weekend, and Fury believes the American is the only man looking to arrange a unification match.
“As a fight fan, I wish that Joshua and Wilder fought each other and I believe that Deontay Wilder is the man who is willing to fight,” Wilder told Behind The Gloves.
“And I’m British so I’ll admit it: I don’t think Joshua’s team want the fight, and that’s being brutally honest.
“Wilder wants to – he has fought the best in the division, he’s fought the avoided Luis Ortiz, he’s fought the avoided and elusive king of the ring, the dancing destroyer, the singing master, the colourful character that is me. Joshua hasn’t, facts are facts. Simple as.
“Until they fight and there is a victor, then I feel it’s Team AJ that don’t want the fight… Wilder has proven to me that he’s a fighting man and he’ll fight. SImple as. But I haven’t seen that from Joshua’s team.
“I want them two to fight each other. I want (AJ) to step up to the plate and prove he’s worthy of being a world champion.
“I’ve stepped up to the plate, I’ve been to Germany and dethroned (Wladimir) Klitschko, I’ve been America and beat Deontay Wilder, when has he stepped up? To beat an old Klitschko?… fight somebody who can fight back – Wilder or Dillian Whyte.
“Fight. You’re a fighting man, supposed to be a world champion, fight men who are dangerous.”
Joshua will defend his IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO titles against late replacement Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden on June 1.
3 Comments
A true boxing fan myself;and I stand with Fury on the point that everyone wants to see AJ against Wilder.
It is been awhile since the heavy world boxing has been treated to such immense talents ,suppress and good fighters who can hold their own ,albeit different fighting styles and techniques..
So it is no surprise we are seeing a lot of big money coming into the heavy weight these days rather ;and it should be so.
It has been a while this happened in the heavyweight division;not since the early 90s ,where we had the Trevor Berbicks, Evander Holyfield,Lennox Lewis,David Tua,Tommy Morrison,and the returning Tyson; have we had it so great… Wilder, Joshua,Fury has made the heavy weight more legit again, with plenty men out there keeping them on their toes,Usyk(if he climbs up the weights) is one to watch as well.
But I understand the mind game Fury is playing.Trying to get into the head of Aj and his team to push this fight with Fury.
My view is;AJ and his team are bidding their time.They aren’t scared. Just buying time; to get AJ in the best shape he could be before he faces Wilder( they know Wilder is dangerous), and as well,buying time to get more money for the fight,when it eventually takes place. The price have to be right ;and time,anticipation can always get you more money..For now,Hearn and AJ wait..
To the fight itself.
I think it is 50/50.
Aj and Wilder are both good fighters with different styles and technique.
Wilder has more power.He is a beast.He comes in attacking,to destroy you.More like Tyson.
But his flaw is his raw aggression.He lacks the finesse and is always wide open.But he has shown he has a strong jaw and can as well go the distance.
For Joshua; He is a more refined boxer,better managed.He is a better boxer than Wilder. Wilder is a brawler; AJ is more technical,more like Ali,Sugar Ray Leonard. His flaw is the fact that he can be too robotic sometimes and that means that he can be hit.But he has shown he has a strong jaw as well and can go the distance.
So what we have is a good match(if made) at our hands.
The heavy weight could be more exciting.
*push the fight with Wilder*
Joshua can afford to wait it out until
Wilder meet his waterloo sooner or later.
Josh, enjoy your rain as a multi heavyweight king of the World.
Why rushing to meet a beast with one eye when you live in a big city like London and Birmingham, UK.
Let them talk all they want. Joshua is the World Champ.
How do they know Wilder is not on drug as well. Please !! give me a break.