By Shaun Murphy-
Anthony Joshua has been warned by Tyson Fury’s American promoter Bob Arum that he could end up being “massacred” if he takes a fight with his long-time rival, Tyson Fury.
Fury recently offered Joshua a life- line for a superlight British super-fight as early as this November, in an intimidating show of confidence that he would humiliate the former undisputed heavyweight champion and bring his career to its knees.
Both teams have been in behind the scenes back and forth talks, in a bid to secure the 60-40 purse split.
Arum is now propagating the idea that Joshua will not take the fight, having just lost two unified heavyweight title battles with Oleksandr Usyk. He believes Joshua’s public acceptance of Fury’s offer for a cash this year is just lip service.
Promoter Hearns and planned to slowly warm Joshua back to the world title opportunity with two fights next year, but Fury’s plan to unity the titles against Olegsander Usyk failed when the Ukranian said he needed more time to prepare.
Fury turned his sights to Joshua and is pushing hard to make the fight happen quickly so he can have another fight and win under his belt this year. The problem is Joshua’s loss is too recent, though it was not a wide defeat. Fury is expected to have the edge psychologically and tactfully and will be favourite to bury Joshua’s career in the mud.
I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Arum told Boxing Social. “Because, while Fury would want it to happen, I put myself in the shoes of Eddie Hearn and Joshua – and after losing twice to Usyk, the first thing you want to do is to get him back in the ring and get him two fights where it restores his confidence. If he goes back in the ring now with Fury, it’s going to be a massacre.”
Fury’s team have made an official offer with a generous purse split offer of 60-40 in the champion’s favour, which Hearn has publicly accepted. However, there is an issue with dates, as Fury would rather fight as early as possible while Joshua needs more time to prepare.
Arum believes Joshua wil not actually risk jumping into the ring against Fury even though he has publicly accepted the challenge.
Fury’s Promoter : Bob Arum Image: Either Miller/WireImage)
“I think that [the purse split] is pretty fair, right?” Arum said. “I mean, Joshua’s not a champion anymore. But again, let’s not jump – I don’t believe that Fury against Joshua will happen this year because everything that I know about boxing, from Joshua’s standpoint, indicates that it won’t happen.”
All indications from Eddie Hearns is that this is the fight Joshua has always wanted, but as a promoter most fans believes his main objective is money, not whether his man will emerge the winner of a contest he will be an overwhelming underdog for the big fight.
Joshua is still a big name in boxing because of his achievements and the fact he has a big punch and some technical boxing abilities. He could pull up the surprise against Fury in theory, if he turns up explosive on the night and takes the fight to the gypsy King in a way he did not to Usyk. The question is whether you can teach a dog new trick when he always returns to his old ways.
With Joshua’s confidence probably low, Fury is largely tipped to be the one to deliver a massacre which could end Joshua’s career completely after three straight losses. He could play with him before dishing out a public humiliation of one of Britain’s once most celebrated boxers.
A truly determined and confident Joshua will have just a bit more than a puncher’s chance.
Joshua, whose ego has been inflated is expected not to be able to resist the opportunity of another massive day and the opportunity to win a world title belt currently held by the division’s best. The WBC belt has traditionally and historically been held by some of the best boxers throughout the sports history.
If the Londoner gives it a miss, Fury will be expected to through the opportunity to another heavyweight, since his camp say they want him to fight this year. Joe Joyce or Daniel Dubois could get the call and take their opportunity.
It should become clearer soon whether fight this year between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will definitely take place. Eddie Hearns will definitely want the fight, but Joshua must be secretly very nervous about taking on Fury at short notice, if November 17 remains the proposed date. from Fury’s camp. His other proposed date is December 3