Anthony Joshua glad fans can see the ‘crazy s***’ that comes with Tyson Fury talks as he backs Usyk over fight collapse
ANTHONY JOSHUA is glad boxing fans can finally see all the ‘crazy s***’ that comes with negotiating with Tyson Fury.
The 34-year-old WBC Gypsy King’s undisputed April 29 Wembley decider with Oleksandr Usyk has collapsed just five weeks out.
Team Fury are blaming the 36-year-old WBA, IBF and WBO boss for demanding too big a percentage of the potential rematch.
Team Usyk insist it is ridiculous that their man should accept the stingy side of a 70-30 split – for a four-belt showdown on away soil – and the same carve-up in any rerun.
AJ, 33, and Fury were days away from securing the biggest fight in British boxing history in late Spring of 2021 – perhaps even a two-fight undisputed spectacular – that was scuppered when Deontay Wilder won his legal claim for a third Fury fight.
And last December – after Fury had finished off Wilder and beaten up Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora – he offered AJ a short-notice showdown, after he had lost his second bout and three belts to Usyk.
Ahead of his April 1 comeback fight against Jermaine Franklin, Joshua hopes fans finally are understanding what a nightmare it is to deal with his nemesis.
“I will be real,” he said from his Wimbledon base ahead of the O2 bout.
“As much as I like to entertain that gossip and Fury situation, I have been there twice and people don’t remember that.
“I was supposed to fight him before I fought Usyk, the first time, and he pulled out due to his legal case, the arbitration, with Wilder. That was all up in the air and done online.
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“Look at all the s*** they are going through now with this Usyk stuff. It’s just crazy.
“I don’t publicise things so it’s actually good that people are starting to see what goes on in negotiations.
“It’s good that people can actually see the s*** that people have got to put up with to make a fight.
“Me and Usyk got two successful fights done. It’s just crazy.”
It’s a sorry state of affairs and Joshua doubts him and Fury will ever settle the score in the ring.
Usyk now has to face the WBO’s mandatory challenger in Daniel Dubois, while Fury will likely sit out until the summer.
Fans of the 6ft 9in showman will insist he has earned the right to call the shots and demand the lion’s share of any fight, especially after iconic away wins over Wladimir Klitschko and Wilder.
But his critics will now suggest his three-year hiatus and failed fights with AJ and Usyk make him a fraud.
AJ is doing his best not to lose any more sleep over it.
“Will the fight between me and him get made?” he wondered? “I don’t know.
“I cannot say I am just going to sit around and wait for this geezer.
“There are other great fights out there I can have.
“Without Fury on my record I will not wake up tomorrow and regret my whole boxing career.
“If he is up for it, I am up for it, if he is not, he is not. Whatever.”