By Gabriel Princewill-
Anthony Joshua has launched a scathing attack against Tyson Fury’s lineal heavyweight belt, describing it as having come out of the ”woodworks” as he chases an immediately elusive world title unification title belt with WBC champ, Deontey Wilder.
“I’m willing to fight Deontay Wilder, April 13 in London,” Joshua stated.
The four belt world champion has endured criticism and ridicule from both Deontey Wilder and Tyson Fury after their long awaited and extended talks were aborted over complex issues surrounding venue and other disputed elements. Both Wilder and Fury’s team have accused Joshua of ducking the fight, with Fury openly mocking the unbeaten world heavyweight champion after his impressive performance at the Los Angeles Staple Centre on December 1, where he held Wilder to a tight draw after a controversial but very interesting fight.
Joshua, a unit at 6ft 6 1/2 inches and a solid 17 stone 8 inches, rubbished Fury’s lineal belt, stating that he never heard of it, and is only interested in Wilder’s WBC belt
“I don’t know what more I have to do to get that message across, he told America’s ESPN television, as he sought to neutralise any potential stigma created when called a chicken by Tyson Fury after Fury put up an impressive performance in which he somewhat miraculously recovered from a knock out blow from big punching Wilder. Wilder was already celebrating what looked like a forgone emphatic knock out victory when Fury beat the referee’s count- already a subject of debate in boxing circles.
I can’t control what Deontay Wilder does, I can’t control what Tyson Fury does, or even as far as what they say, he continued.
“But what I can do is control what I say and what I’m doing. I made sure with the negotiations I booked the date in advance, set the venue in advance.
“And I’m making my point clear in front of everyone watching, I’m willing to fight any one of these guys, especially the champion, Deontay Wilder, April 13 at Wembley. What more can I say
“I’m not interested in Tyson Fury – he’s not the champion, that’s where I’m coming from.”
“That lineal status. When I was joining the heavyweight ranks, no one told me about the lineal champion.
“I knew about WBC, IBO, IBF, WBA and WBO. And I’ve got my hands on four of them. So I don’t know where this ‘lineal’ has just popped out of the wood works from.
Fury (left) doesn’t interest Joshua. He wants Wilder’s(right) WBC title, but can’t compete for it until 2019 at the earliest.Image: news.sky.com
STATUS
The linear title is a title of status, but does not equate world championship status because it is not synonymous with being the current best. It is attributed to a boxer who beats the reigning champion, without being beaten since the conquest of dethroning the champ. It is premised on the notion of ‘the man who beat the man’. Joshua is right that Wilder’s belt is infinitely more desirable to him than Fury’s unbeaten status and badge of honour for beating Wladimir Klitschko. Joshua has also beaten Klitschko by knock out. The problem with Joshua’s interest in Wilder is that Wilder is scheduled for a rematch with Tyson Fury and therefore would not be considering the Londoner on April 13, 2019.
At the moment, Joshua will most likely face the winner of Dillian Whyte And Derek Chisora which takes place on December 22, next week. It will afford him the opportunity to gain more valuable experience before meeting with the heavy handed Wilder, or even Tyson Fury who showed impressive boxing mastery in his world title challenge against Wilder. The rematch between Wilder and Fury, earmarked for next summer, will attract a lot more interest than their first meeting this month.