Boxing

Anthony Joshua would fight Tyson Fury behind closed doors if offered to him

DAZN

20, Apr 20

Anthony Joshua would fight Tyson Fury behind closed doors if offered to him

Right now, boxing is in a current state of flux due to the coronavirus pandemic. No fights can take place for the time being, so all fans can do is imagine what could possibly happen once action resumes. And when the sweet science does come back, bouts are expected to occur behind closed doors with no fans in attendance.

With that being the likely scenario, is there a chance to see marquee matchups inside of empty arenas? In a conversation on DAZN's "Boxing With Chris Mannix", unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua said that if his promoter at Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, offered him the chance to square off against WBC heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship, he wouldn't turn down the opportunity.

"(If) Eddie Hearn put an opportunity and said, 'Listen, I managed to secure the Tyson Fury fight behind closed doors'," Joshua said to Mannix, "I would take it because if I don't take it now, I don't think Tyson Fury (will) be around by the time big shows are available again. I have to take the opportunity while it's there."

Before the global outbreak, Joshua had been scheduled to take on former heavyweight title challenger Kubrat Pulev on June 20 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The bout was officially postponed at the beginning of April until further notice. Fury had been scheduled to meet Deontay Wilder for the third time on July 18, but that has been pushed back to the fall. Since those fights have been put on hold, Joshua tossed out an idea that could have him and Fury meet for all the marbles.

"We have two current heavyweight champions in Great Britain right now," Joshua said. "Wilder, it would be good if he stepped aside. Pulev, it would be good if he stepped aside, and we got this fight on because it's one the world is screaming for."

Is there any chance Wilder and Pulev step away for Joshua and Fury to battle to become the first four-belt heavyweight champion?

"No, because I think the championship means a lot to these boys," Joshua said. "I respect that. I know what the championship means. As much as I would like them to, I just highly doubt it because I know I wouldn't do it. Unfortunately, it won't happen, but if a miracle did come across and they both decided to, I don't need no warmup. I'm ready and looking forward to it."