Anthony Joshua planning to fight Tyson Fury twice next year amid Covid-19 disruption

WORLD heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua has  agreed in principle to fight challenger Tyson Fury twice next year in what is set to be the sports major blockbusters of 2021.

Joshua, who currently holds the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) titles will defend two of them against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on December 12. Art a fight due to take place at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium, Joshua's IBF and WBA belts will be on the line on the day in question.

Before the coronavirus pandemic struck, Joshua had been due to take on another commitment, possibly against Oleksandr Usyk, later in 2020. However, with the continued lockdowns and disruptions, things are not going according to plan but still the champion wants to deliver big fights for his fans.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said: “AJ wants to fight Usyk but his focus is on fighting Tyson Fury. If that fight can’t be made he will 100% fight Oleksandr Usyk and if Usyk wants to hang around, Joshua will still fight Oleksandr Usyk.

“AJ wants the challenge against these great heavyweights and Usyk is a very, very good heavyweight. Usyk’s disadvantage is his size and he’s handicapped in that sense because he’s unbeatable at cruiserweight, the only way he’s going to get beaten is by fighting guys that are too big for him.”

Mr Hearn added that the first bout between Joshua and Fury could happen in the summer of 2021. For now, Fury is  obliged to fight against the man he beat to win his World Boxing Council (WBC) belt Deontay Wilder, after he triggered a rematch clause that was in their contract but after that rematch, he would then be free to fight Joshua.