By Gabriel Princewill-
WBC heavyweight champion Fury has handed Joshua a shock world title lifeline on Monday, challenging him to a much anticipated December Battle of Britain.
Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, confirmed on Tuesday morning that he would be sending an offer to Joshua’s camp for consideration, which would see the fight take place in the UK in November.
“I’m being bombarded with messages about how much I’m going to pay AJ,” Fury said. “Everyone is saying 80/20, 70/30, 75/25… the actual answer is I’ve offered him 60/40.
“Forty per cent of this amazing fight because I want this fight to happen. He doesn’t have have any excuses now not to take it. He can’t say I’ve lowballed him by offering him 20 per cent or 30 per cent. I’ve offered him 40 per cent, take it or leave it. Let us know.”
Joshua has since publicly accepted the offer, which will finally ensure the biggest domestic heavyweight fight in decades. Frank Warren and his son George last night to get the ball rolling on a potential fight.
Joshua lost a split decision landslide decision to Olegsander Usyk last month for his return ‘must win’ fight, leaving him distraught and disconcerted .He put up a much improved performance than his first showing, but it simply wasn’t good enough. The defeat was marginal, but a loss all the same.
After betraying the hallowed spirit of sportsmanship by dumping the respected belts on the canvas with an undignified fury, the once celebrated heavyweight champ, gave an impassioned monologue after the fight which rightly drew much criticism because of the way he stole a moment meant for his victor, who had just repeated the conquest he attained nearly a year earlier.
Usyk repeats victory over Joshua Image:Julia Finney/Getty ImageFury was expected to face unbeaten Olegsander Usyk for a unification title fight, but has gone for the unpredictable in giving Joshua the shot in a massive fight that will capture the interest of the British public.
This offer puts Joshua in an odd position of not being able to resist a money spinning offer to at least win a word title belt, which would force a rematch with Usyk for the unified belts he lost , if he emerges victorious against Fury.
However, Joshua will be a huge underdog to win the fight against the unbeaten and resilient Fury.
Psychologically, Joshua will be at a huge disadvantage, coming off two defeats to Usyk and stepping up to meet an agile and unorthodox man, currently rated the world’s best at the heavyweight division.
The idea of the fight is arguably unethical , given Joshua’s latest loss, but presents the Londoner with the fresh opportunity of rectifying his shortcomings against Fury.
Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn revealing that he has opened talks with Warren over a potential heavyweight showdown fight.
Hearn told TalkSport: ‘I said to George Warren last night, ‘Get the details over to us, get the offer over to us. I will take it to AJ, he’s ready to go.’
‘We didn’t expect this opportunity, but it’s a great opportunity to fight for the world heavyweight title in the biggest fight in boxing.
‘And we will definitely look at it.’
Eddie Hearn has expressed scepticism about Fury’s seriousness about the fight, having also challenged both Usyk and Derek Chisora in recent weeks.
‘I’d love to get really excited about this because I think it’s the fight I get stopped on the street for more than any fight that could be made.
‘It’s a fight AJ has wanted for a long time. Don’t forget we signed for this fight last year before the court arbitration forced the Deontay Wilder fight for Tyson Fury.
‘It’s an interesting one because last week he retired, then he’d only come back to fight Usyk, then he made an offer to Derek Chisora, then he wanted half a billion, then he retired again, then he’s fighting Usyk in December and now he’s fighting AJ.
Hearn said: ‘It’s the fight he’s wanted for a long time.
‘We had plans after the Usyk defeat to come back in December and then go again in March, get active and get the rhythm going again and then try fight for the world heavyweight title.
‘But I know having spoken to AJ and as you saw with his message that if that fight is there and they’re serious, which I have my doubts [about].
‘But listen, let’s for the good of trying to make it happen, let’s believe Tyson Fury.’
Better believe it because Fury has no reason to be playing games this time. It’s a big fight with lofty remunerations for both men.
Tyson Fury is set to star in a new TV series with his wife Paris and their family.
Streaming giant Netflix last month revealed the show is currently in production and will be a multi-part documentary series giving an intimate glimpse into family life.
The documentary is called At Home With The Furys and will centre around the champion boxer’s life post-retirement and promises everything from celebrity cameos to luxurious holidays and even nappy changes.