Anthony Joshua has admitted he would love to fight Tyson Fury and has talked up the possibility of a huge all-British heavyweight contest between the pair.
The WBO-WBA-IBF-IBO world heavyweight champion is expected to make a decision about his next title defence this weekend with a range of possible opponents on the table.
Joshua could be swayed into making his US debut against the undefeated Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller in New York in May but for now is scheduled to fight at Wembley Stadium, London on April 13.
Fellow British heavyweight Dillian Whyte — who Joshua defeated in 2015 — had emerged as a contender for a rematch if that date goes ahead, but Fury is now firmly in the picture for a future fight too.
Asked about Fury on the BBC’s Graham Norton Show, Joshua said:
“That would be massive. I’d love to [fight Tyson Fury]. He’s another big name for the British public and a fight in Britain.
“The fight Wilder and Fury had I thought Fury won so it would be amazing to have two British heavyweights and we would be combining the belts.
“In the eyes of a lot of people Fury is the champion as such, we’re the top three [with Wilder] so I’d love to fight him.”
WBC champion Wilder has been ordered to set up a rematch with Fury after their epic draw at Staples Centre, L.A. in December.
Fury was knocked down twice but was widely thought to have had the better of Wilder in the contest.
He had been absent from boxing for three years after a drugs ban and mental health problems, but showed no signs of ring-rust against the American.
“Three years is a long time out and I think it was a good name [for Wilder], but he must have thought it was an easy fight because he was getting him when he was a bit cold,” said Joshua.
“But Tyson Fury is very talented, very skilled, and showed that to the world when he boxed.”
A unification bout with Wilder seems to be out of the question after negotiations broke down, and Joshua confirmed Wilder was interested in other possibilities on home soil.
“He’s just got other options in the States that he’s interested in fighting,” he said.
“But my view is that I’ve got four, you’ve got the last one. It’s like Lord of the Rings, let’s combine them together.
“You can fight in front of the biggest audience, the best UK crowd there is and fight for the heavyweight championship of the world.
“That’s a great offer but he’s interested in fighting someone else so I have to go a different route at the minute.”