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BOXING UPDATE: Jake Paul not backing off Anthony Joshua as boxer provides update on ‘mega-fight’

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Jake Paul Anthony Joshua

YouTube sensation-turned-pugilist Jake Paul is brimming with confidence about organizing a bout with two-time heavyweight king Anthony Joshua.

Paul, no stranger to the spotlight, made waves earlier this year by throwing down the gauntlet to Joshua on his YouTube channel ‘BS with Jake Paul,’ proclaiming: “I want to fight Anthony Joshua because I know I will f—— beat Anthony Joshua’s a–. He doesn’t have a chin and he has no skill and he’s stiff. I love you, Anthony, we’re friends and all this s— but I want to fight you. I will beat Canelo, I will beat a lot of f—— people.”

The back-and-forth quickly led to an understanding over the phone for a future showdown. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Paul dished details on the anticipated encounter: “Yeah, we talked on the phone for like ten minutes and we’re both down. I said 2026 and he was like, ‘Alright, let’s get it,'” he disclosed.

Joshua would be Paul's toughest test yet

JUST IN: VIDEO: Tyson Fury ends retirement mistrust for good

With plans in the works, Paul predicts the 2026 match-up will be huge. His goal is to not only challenge himself in the heavyweight category but also to capitalize on what he perceives as Joshua’s deteriorating resilience.

“We’re gonna make it happen so I think that’s going to be a mega-fight next year and something fun to test my skills at heavyweight. But I think his chin’s gone and especially if he fights another time or two in between the end of 2026. I love Anthony, he’s always supported me, I’ve always supported him but I just do believe I can beat him in a fight.”

Joshua has announced he won’t be returning to the ring until December at the earliest. ‘AJ’ hasn’t been in a match since his stunning fifth-round knockout defeat by Daniel Dubois last September.

In a conversation with ESPN about his future, Joshua remarked: “December, I’ll fight again. That’s when I want to fight again. I want to take some time and then I’ll go in December.”

Regarding Tyson Fury, Joshua’s British counterpart, Joshua brushed off concerns: “Don’t worry about him, he says a lot of stuff. I just want to get my body feeling good and my mind is going to be right and then I’ll fight. No problem!”

Amid rumors of a potential clash between Paul and Joshua, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has cautioned the American YouTuber, hinting that the ‘Problem Child’ might not grasp the danger of stepping into the ring with his premier fighter.

In an interview with The Stomping Ground, Hearn expressed: “The reason [people] are in to it is because it is so dangerous. [They think] if he hits Jake Paul, his head could actually detach from his neck. That’s the world we live in. If it’s what you want to see, I’m sure AJ would give you what you want. But unless you’re going to do it next, don’t talk about it. If you’re going to do it next, we’ll do it. AJ is not defending a belt, he’s not trying to unify, he’s not trying to become undisputed. We’re looking for an opponent.

“If it’s Jake Paul, it’s a massive payday and a straightforward job. If I was walking into the ring to fight Jake Paul, I wouldn’t be nervous. I could be competitive. It is impossible [Paul beats Joshua]. Jake Paul probably could have a dozen or so free shots on AJ’s chin and it wouldn’t even [faze him]. Respect to Jake, he wants to make the big moments and he’d make crazy money for that fight. If you want to do it, do it, but understand the dangers of that fight.”

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BOXING

‘Everyone wants to fight him’: Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder given new hope as details of agreement emerge

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Anthony Joshua Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder could still fight Anthony Joshua if he gets his career back on track.

That’s according to Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who says it’s realistically all or nothing for Wilder now.

Wilder has the chance to revive his career when he faces Tyrrell Herndon in Kansas next month.

JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez Drops Major News On Terence Crawford Fight Location

‘The Bronze Bomber’ has looked a shadow of his former hardest-hitting self in the ring recently.

He has lost four of his last fights and was shocking stopped by Chinese powerhouse Zhilei Zhang in June last year.

This came six months after he suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Joseph Parker, which derailed a blockbuster meeting with ‘AJ’.

Speaking to FightHype.com, Hearn confirmed that Wilder had signed to fight Joshua at the time and an announcement was imminent, until the former lost to Parker.

Hearn believes that Wilder has now lost his fear factor in the squared circle, but revealed that a fight with Joshua could still happen down the line.

“If [Wilder] keeps winning, maybe people can talk about that fight,” he said.

“It’s definitely not a fight that I rule out, but people don’t give Wilder much shot against AJ right now, but hopefully he can start looking good again.

“Again, we talk about fighters losing their way. There’s a great example.

“It’s funny how people can be so fearful of a fighter, and then all of a sudden have no fear whatsoever.

“I don’t think anybody now would fear fighting Deontay Wilder, whereas at a point, everyone thought: ‘Oh my God, this guy is the biggest puncher in the history of the sport.’

“Now, everyone wants to fight him, so we shall see.”

Hearn also mentioned that Joshua’s last defeat in the ring makes the fight with Wilder more likely to happen if ‘The Bronze Bomber’ gets some wins back.

AJ’s heavyweight title dreams collapsed after he was shockingly knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September.

Dubois now faces Oleksandr Usyk in the same venue in July for the chance to become the first British undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

Wilder, meanwhile, has faced widespread criticism since his defeat to Zhang, with many boxing enthusiasts calling for his retirement.

“This fight isn’t going to tell us much, apart from [Wilder] gaining the confidence of a win,” Hearn concluded.

“If he struggles against this guy he has to pack it in, but I expect him to win, and hopefully he can win well.”

Nevertheless, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has decided to make a return, as he faces fellow American Herndon, who is 24-5 in professional boxing and a huge underdog for the bout.

It feels like the last chance for Wilder who is 39 years old now and in desperate need of a victory in June.

However, for Herndon, it is an opportunity that he has always dreamt of, and he doesn’t want to just let it slip by.

“It is something I visualised would happen,” the 37-year-old from Texas told talkSPORT.com in April ahead of his clash with Wilder.

“I’ve replayed this scenario in my mind a thousand times, so when it does happen, I’ve already been there.

“Critics told me I was crazy for doing that, [but] I’ve already been there a thousand times already, so when I get in there with him I think it will be natural.

“A week before I got the call, it was my tenth year as a pro, I was on my way to the gym but I turned around.

“I just said ‘today isn’t one of my days’. I’d been doing this ten years, but what did I have to show for it?

“Then my manager rang and I thought it might be Dillian Whyte, as that fight didn’t materialise before.

“But then he said Deontay Wilder and I replied ‘get the f*** out of here.’ I couldn’t believe it.

“It reminded me that any time can be my moment, and it means more than anyone would know.”

Herndon will have all the odds stacked against him at the Charles Koch Arena in Kansas when he takes part in the biggest fight of his career.

Wilder, meanwhile, will hope the fight can propel him back into contention for one more huge payday in the ring against a name like AJ or Francis Ngannou.

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BOXING

WATCH: Anthony Joshua’s Injury Finally Revealed That’s Delaying Boxing Comeback

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua has finally revealed the severity of his injury which could keep him out until the end of 2025.

AJ last fought in September 2024, attempting to become a three-time world champion at Wembley when he faced Daniel Dubois. The fight saw Dubois dominate Joshua and knock him out in the fifth round. There was a potential rematch for this fight, however the IBF set a deadline of April, which was unable to take place due to Joshua’s injury.

What Anthony Joshua Has Said About His Injury

It’s an elbow injury that is keeping AJ sidelined

In an interview with iFL TV, Joshua opened up on how serious the injury is, saying: “They’re obviously gonna go in – long story short, the bone in the joint is free at the minute. This is my left arm. It’s nice and free. But over a period of time, there’s a signal that gets sent to the brain, like, (This) keeps on jamming, what’s going on? We need to grow some more bone to protect this area. But ultimately, I needed to be free, because of my job.

READ: (VIDEO) How Terence Crawford Can Replicate What Dmitry Bivol Did Against Canelo Alvarez

“But it’s like, my body is doing the right thing, getting stronger, to protect itself from this trauma that keeps happening. So, over a period of time, what they tend to do is, they go in, with a small little drill. A thin little drill – keyhole surgery – go into the elbow, and just file it down, nice and precise. It’s like a tooth, if you have a root canal, or whatever you call it, you know? File the tooth down, someone’s there with a suction, taking out all the bone that’s floating around, and then it’ll just heal, really.

“But you gotta make sure you do your rehab, do all your strength work, as well, because after surgery you need to focus on making sure you get the range of motion back. And then once it’s fully healed, you ice it, acupuncture, strengthen it. Good as new, back to work, basically.”

Anthony Joshua’s Next Fight

Names have been thrown around, but nothing has been confirmed

This surgery will keep Joshua out for a further eight weeks, before allowing him to return to the gym in preparation for another fight. Speaking to ESPN Mexico, the former world champion said that he wants to return to the ring in December. There have been multiple rumoured opponents for Joshua’s return fight, with Martin Bakole, Agit Kabayel, and Deontay Wilder all potentially lined up to face the Brit at the end of the year.

Anthony Joshua’s professional boxing record (as of 10/05/25)
32 fights 28 wins 4 losses
By knockout 25 2
By decision 3 2

The 35-year-old has also been called out by Jake Paul, with the Problem Child set to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June after defeating Mike Tyson in an exhibition match in his last fight. Joshua could also finally have the long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury. However, these options both seem unlikely to happen this year.

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BOXING

Watch as Anthony Joshua refuses to answer question in fiery interview and tells interviewer to ‘turn the camera off’

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua was not happy about a question he was asked in an interview and even suggested that iFL TV host Kugan Cassius turned the camera off.

Joshua, 35, is a two-time world heavyweight champion but has not fought since he sustained a conclusive knockout defeat against fellow Brit Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.

Dubois is set to take on Oleksandr Usyk at the same venue on July 19 in a bid to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and avenge his 2023 defeat against Usyk.

Anthony Joshua refuses to answer question in fiery interview and tells interviewer to 'turn the camera off'

JUST IN: Here’s Why Oleksandr Usyk picks Tyson Fury to beat Anthony Joshua

And given Joshua’s status in the heavyweight division and the fact he has fought both men, iFL TV host Kugan Cassius asked Joshua about the bout, but his response was far from what he may have expected from the usually composed 35-year-old.

“I’ve got a few thoughts on it, but I feel like I don’t want to talk on it too much because it’s not my fight, it’s their fight – I don’t want to promote their fight,” Joshua said.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t want to talk about it.”

Cassius then pushed the Watford boxer on why he didn’t want to discuss the upcoming heavyweight showdown.

“Why you asking me for?” asked an annoyed Joshua. “Turn the camera off and ask me about it.

“You’re asking me about it in front of the bright lights, and put it out in front of the media to promote your channel and their fight. I’m not doing it.”

“It’s not my interest,” he added. “But it will be a good fight, and good luck to both of them.”

Joshua has recently revealed that he will undergo surgery on his elbow later in May, which will likely delay his return to the ring.

“I’m trying to get my body right,” he told DAZN. “I have got to actually have a little surgery on my elbow.”

“A small surgery sometime in May – I’m finalising the details,” he continued. “That will see me out of the gym for maybe six to eight weeks, and then when I’m healed, I will be back.”

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua finally sets return date and it’s bad news for Tyson Fury showdown

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua has revealed he is looking to return to the ring in December, which could shut the door to a clash with Tyson Fury.

AJ hasn’t fought since being brutally beaten by Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last September.

The Briton was carrying injuries shortly after the fight, but was eyeing a showdown with Tyson Fury this year.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua Is ‘Not A Real Nigerian’ – Efe Ajagba

The ‘Gypsy King’ retired from boxing, and Joshua has yet to pencil in his next opponent.

It emerged this week that he would now have surgery on his elbow, which would rule him out of training for a further eight weeks.

And in a new update, Joshua insisted he plans to return before the end of the year.

“December I will fight again,” he told ESPN Mexico.

“That’s when I want to fight again, I’ll take some time and I will go in December.

“I just want to get my body feeling good and then I’ll fight. It’s a simple job.”

It would see Joshua having had a 14-month lay-off from the ring if he does indeed return in the final month of the year.

And it could spell a significant blow to his chances of fighting Fury in a stadium, with any clash in the UK unlikely to be held in an open-air venue over winter.

As a result, any bout with Fury would now likely be held in 2026 or could be held in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua could look to alternative options in a winter return, having named Martin Bakole, Agit Kabayel and Deontay Wilder as potential options.

Wilder would be a blockbuster clash, but the American must first beat Tyrell Herndon in his comeback fight next month.

For sure the British heavyweight will be inundated with offers, and has even been called out by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

But he admitted he needs to work on his physical conditioning before he is ready to make a comeback.

He continued: “My body has been through the works.

“If I want to be here for the long time I just want to make sure my body is really really good before I get back into the ring.

Sooner than later. I’m still training but I’m just kind of rebuilding.

“To be good is not enough in boxing, if you want to be a world champion you’ve got to be great.

“Throughout the last year or so, especially my last fight I was good but not great.

“To be a champion you gotta be ‘on your s***’ basically and I need to step my game up.”

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BOXING

Anthony Joshua Is ‘Not A Real Nigerian’ – Efe Ajagba

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Efe Ajagba Anthony Joshua

Efe Ajagba Says London-Born Anthony Joshua Is ‘Not A Real Nigerian’

Anthony Joshua might have spent some of his formative years in a Nigerian boarding school but Efe Ajagba says the two-time world champion should not be considered in the conversation to decide Africa’s No.1 heavyweight.
Ahead of his showdown with DR Congo native Martin Bakole, the 31-year-old Ajagba, who was born in the Delta State of Nigeria, said the fight in Riyadh was to decide who was the best heavyweight from their continent.
Ring Magazine

JUST IN: ‘I’ve been through it’ – Tyson Fury leaves mark on Anthony Joshua as Brit makes two promises

However, after 10 rounds at the ANB Arena, judges Pablo Gonzalez and Bob Williams both returned 95-95 scorecards meaning that neither man could claim that title.
And while they can both still argue their case, the Ring put to Ajagba that Joshua might also be in the running.
The 35-year-old, full name Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, is proud of his Nigerian roots, carries a tattoo of the continent on his right shoulder and spent time at the Mayflower School in Ikenne, Ogun State. He has, therefore, been regularly linked with a fight in the country where both his parents were born.
But Ajagba shook his head when Joshua’s name was brought up in the conversation.
“Oh man,” Ajagba said. “I don’t think so. He’s not a real Nigerian.
“He might have just been there and that’s where his parents came from but for me, I’m the original Nigerian, to be honest. Not Joshua, that man has not experienced Nigeria. Almost all of his life has been spent in the UK, that’s why he hasn’t experienced it.”
It is then put to Ajagba, that Joshua has recently been seen training in Nigeria, where the locals cheered as he ran the streets.
“He just goes there for social media content,” Ajagba replies. “It’s ok, it’s all good – but I’m the original Nigerian.
“In Africa, Nigeria is always No.1 when it comes to sport and I’m the original Nigerian. That’s what it’s all about – I’ve got power and I’ve got skills.”
Ajagba, who is The Ring’s No.10-rated heavyweight, had hoped a victory over Bakole would propel him towards his first world title shot. However, the draw in Riyadh has only slowed his progress with an immediate rematch with Bakole now probably.
In the meantime, Ring magazine champion Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBO, WBA and WBC titles, will face IBF titlist Daniel Dubois for all the belts at Wembley Stadium on July 19. But Ajagba believes the fight is unfair on Joseph Parker, who had been scheduled to face Dubois on February 22 before the Londoner pulled out through illness during fight week.
Instead, Parker knocked out last-minute stand-in Bakole in the second round of their contest, but is now waiting on news about his next fight while Dubois faces Usyk.
“I was surprised about Usyk-Dubois to be honest,” Ajagba added.
“That was supposed to be a fight for Joseph Parker. It has to be fair and that’s not fair. Dubois got sick before their fight so it doesn’t make sense to me.
“Parker won the replacement fight, he beat Martin Bakole, so now he should have got the opportunity to fight Usyk. Daniel Dubois has fought him before and he lost so why is he getting it again? He has to fight Joseph Parker like they first planned instead of Usyk. That’s a challenge. But it is what it is, this is boxing.”
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‘I’ve been through it’ – Tyson Fury leaves mark on Anthony Joshua as Brit makes two promises

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Tyson Fury Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua has said that the world of boxing will simply “move on” if a heavily anticipated heavyweight bout with Tyson Fury doesn’t come to pass.

The pair have been at odds throughout their careers, but an actual fight has yet to come to fruition. Unfortunately, the prospects of this dream matchup are looking dimmer by the day, as Fury hung up his gloves in January after consecutive defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.

While fans may rue the missed opportunity to witness what could have been one of the sport’s most electrifying clashes, Joshua is strenuous in his efforts to make it happen.

Tyson Fury confirm he's back in talks with Anthony Joshua for a September bout

READ: (VIDEO) How Canelo Alvarez Could Be Boxing’s First ‘Billion Dollar’ Fighter

Speaking to iFL TV about the potential regret over an unrealised fight with Fury, Joshua said that he is “50/50”. reports the Express.

He explained: “No because you can never look back. It is what it is, you know what I mean? I think for me, if you know my mentality, it’s like it is what it is, isn’t it?

“But then at the same time, as a fight fan and as a fighting person, I want to fight all the challengers in my generation. I’ve already signed to fight Fury a few times, and you can never fault me for that.

“Then they had the arbitration with [Deontay] Wilder, then they tried to blacklist me when they had their trilogy. Fury’s called me out and said, ‘He’s got 24 hours to sign a contract.’ I’ve been through it with that guy.

“So from my end, it would be annoying but I 100 per cent have tried.”

Joshua also made two vows in making a fight with Fury materialise, adding: “I’ll do everything I can to make it happen, and I’ll hang around as long as I have to to make it happen.

“That’s on my end, I can’t control what another man is going to do.”

When iFL TV proposed that it would be a “travesty” if the Joshua vs Fury fight didn’t come to fruition, Joshua playfully disagreed, explaining: “I don’t think it would be,” accompanied by a wry smile. He added: “I think people move on quick.

“Just life, Covid happened and everyone’s moved on. I always think… that’s my perspective of life.

“Rest in peace to our Queen but she passed away, the world just moves on. It’s nuts, you know.”

He continued: “I was thinking on a global scale – I think in the pubs and stuff like that it’ll be like, ‘F***ing hell, Fury and Joshua didn’t fight’. But I think on a global scale, I don’t think it matters that much.”

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Anthony Joshua to undergo surgery on troublesome injury as comeback fight delayed

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua is set to undergo surgery on his elbow later this month.

The Watford powerhouse was knocked out by Daniel Dubois last September at Wembley Stadium and hasn’t boxed since.

He has been unable to resume full training since his crushing loss, due to an injury that has left him ‘unable to punch properly’.

READ: Would be monumental: WBC wants Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford super fight

However, AJ insists he is getting the issue sorted shortly.

“When do you want me back, people?” said Joshua when asked when he will return to the ring during an interview with DAZN on Saturday night.

“I’m trying to get my body right. I have got to actually have a little surgery on my elbow.

“A small surgery sometime in May. I’m finalising the details.

“That will see me out of the gym for maybe six to eight weeks, and then when I’m healed, I will be back.”

Providing the surgery goes to plan, Joshua could return to the ring at the back end of this year.

Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn had hoped to get his client out in June or July, but AJ’s injury means that is no longer possible.

When he does eventually return to the ring, the expectation is that it will be against Tyson Fury.

‘The Gypsy King’ hung up his gloves for a fourth time in January following a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

However, he has since dropped a major hint that he may be about to reverse his retirement once again.

Taking to social media, last week, Fury uploaded a video of him and his long-time trainer SugarHill Steward in the gym together.

“Just in the gym. I just bumped into somebody you might know,” he said before turning the camera to Steward.

He then gave a big indication that he will box again, by saying: “You know what is coming.”

Steward concurred: “You know what time it is.”

This was followed up two days later with a message for Usyk on social media.

“Beat the f***** 2 times the world knows the truth,” he posted.

“Any time, any place. sucher (sic) UK next time 100k people.”

Usyk is currently tied up with a four-belt shoot-out against Daniel Dubois on July 19.

He has expressed an interest in a trilogy bout with Fury, although it may not be possible with the string of mandatory challengers waiting in line to face him.

Fury vs Joshua, meanwhile, is at the top of Turki Alalshikh’s wishlist and remains one of the most-anticipated fights in boxing.

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‘You know what’s coming’: Tyson Fury hints at dramatic retirement U-turn with cryptic message

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Tyson Fury retirement

Tyson Fury could be about to reverse his retirement once again.

‘The Gypsy King’ hung up his gloves for a fourth time in January after suffering a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

He and his handlers have repeatedly insisted that the Brit is stepping away from the sport for good this time.

JUST IN:  “No Problem”: Oleksandr Usyk Agrees To Tyson Fury’s One Demand For Trilogy Fight

However, a recently uploaded video with his long-time trainer SugarHill Steward suggests otherwise.

“Just in the gym. I just bumped into somebody you might know,” he said before turning the camera to Steward.

He then gave the biggest indication he will reverse his retirement yet, by saying: “You know what is coming.”

Steward concurred: “You know what time it is.”

His video conveniently comes on the same day that Usyk and Daniel Dubois began their press tour for their undisputed showdown on July 19.

The pair clashed in the talkSPORT studios at midday over the contentious low blow in their inaugural encounter.

Three hours later, Fury took to social media to steal the show.

Boxing fans will be hoping Fury is hinting at the long-awaited all-British clash with Anthony Joshua.

The heavyweight titans have been locked into negotiations on multiple occasions to no avail.

The closest they came to fighting was in 2020 when both fighters held all four major sanctioning body belts between them.

However, a judge in a US court ruled that Deontay Wilder was owed a third fight with Fury, leading to the AJ bout falling apart days after it had been finalised.

Joshua was then ordered to face Usyk, who snatched his IBF, WBO and WBA belts from him in London, placing the final nail in the coffin.

Since then, they have been in talks a couple of times.

Nothing has gone beyond the preliminary stages.

But they now find themselves at a point in their respective careers where they need each other most.

Fury is riding a two-fight skid at the hands of Usyk, while Joshua is coming off a devastating knockout defeat to Dubois last September.

Both men are out of the world title picture, which is crowded by mandatory challengers, while they are also entering the twilight of their careers.

The appetite might not be the same as it was when the bitter rivals were at their peaks, though it is still undeniably the biggest fight in British boxing.

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Anthony Joshua in huge boost to fight for world title he has NEVER won… but why it all depends

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Anthony Joshua in huge boost to fight for world title he has NEVER won… but why it all depends on Daniel Dubois

ANTHONY JOSHUA could finally get the chance to fight for the WBC title – but it all depends on Daniel Dubois.

Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker face off at a press conference.
Daniel Dubois defends his IBF title against Joseph Parker

Joshua, 35, has twice held the unified WBA, IBF and WBO versions of the belts – but never the iconic green and gold WBC.

The strap is currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, 38, after he took it from Tyson Fury, 36, and then defended it in his pair of points wins last year.

But he had to vacate the IBF title to proceed with his December rematch with Fury – which he won via disputed decision.

Dubois, 27, was meanwhile elevated from interim champion to the full version – knocking out AJ in his first defense in September.

Oleksandr Usyk shaking hands with Daniel Dubois after a boxing match.
Oleksandr Usyk could fight the winner between Dubois vs Parker

He now puts it on the line against Joseph Parker, 33, on Saturday night in Riyadh – with Usyk in line to fight the winner.

That would make it for all four undisputed belts again – so Agit Kabayel and Zhilei Zhang contest for the interim version on the undercard.

Winning that trinket title automatically puts the winner in line to challenge for the full version or be elevated in the event of the champ being stripped.

And WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman is open to Joshua fighting for the WBC interim belt this year against either Zhang, 41, or Kabayel, 32.

Sulaiman told SunSport: “Very possibly Anthony Joshua could fight the winner and then the winner would be the interim champion.

“What we’re trying to do is to give the fans the best fights possible.

“We are administering within our rules that give us plenty of room to be ordering or managing the divisions for the benefit of the industry

“So that is a very doable thing if Anthony Joshua is to fight the winner of Kabayel-Zhang – absolutely it would be an WBC interim title fight.”

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