WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has cast his highly-anticipated fight with Anthony Joshua into serious doubt after revealing it is no closer to being finalised.
The bout against Joshua, holder of the WBA, WBO and IBF belts, has been touted for months, with both parties keen to make the megafight happen.
Sportsmail reported earlier this month that the first draft of contracts for the fight had been exchanged between the two parties, with only minor issues left to resolve, such as the order of ring walks and who appears first on the fight’s billing.
Tyson Fury has insisted his heavyweight unification fight with Anthony Joshua is up in the air
Joshua and Fury are hoping to come face-to-face this year after dominating the division
But the added complication of the coronavirus pandemic has made negotiations even more difficult, and are not as advanced as they would appear, according to Fury.
‘They’ve had a full year to make something happen, and it hasn’t happened as of yet. We’re no further forward today than we were a year ago,’ he told ESPN.
‘The way (Covid-19) is at the moment, I don’t think (it has) got much to do with the fighters. It’s to do with the venue, date, place, site fees. It’s to do with everything but the fight itself.’
Even if the fight does get arranged for 2021 Fury admits his long period of inactivity is a cause for concern.
Fury’s last fight against Deontay Wilder was a year ago this week, and a second rematch for December did not happen.
Indeed, the Gypsy King’s physique has been called into question in recent weeks, with a video of the 32-year-old swimming in Morecambe Bay appearing to show him someway off peak physical form.
Fury (left and right) saw his physique questioned after filming himself in Morecambe Bay
Fury admits any preparation for a fight has not been ideal, having not fought for over a year
Meanwhile, Joshua did make it into the ring towards the back end of 2020, easily dispatching Kubrat Pulev in December to retain his heavyweight titles.
And Fury admits it is something his opponent-in-waiting has over him.
‘It was just a big mess-up. I should have boxed, because I’ve been so inactive. I’ve been out for over a year,’ he added.
‘By the time I fight again, looking at maybe June if this Joshua fight happens, that will be a year and six months out of the ring, which is not ideal preparation for any superfight.
‘If that fight doesn’t happen this summer, it’s got to happen sooner or later but (promoter) Top Rank has to give me two fights this year.
‘I don’t care who it is. If it’s not Joshua, we’re looking to fight in April or early May, and the end of the year.
Joshua and Fury are looking to unite the heavyweight division and make an undisputed champ
‘If it is Joshua, then June and the end of the year, so 2021 is looking bright.’
Joshua has not been oblivious to the preparations of his potential opponent, and has had his say over the footage that recently emerged of Fury.
And his promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the pair had discussed the 32-year-old’s recent appearance.
‘I think before he goes into any main camp he doesn’t look like AJ, ever,’ the Matchroom boss told Seconds Out.
‘I said to AJ the other day, “Did you see Fury jumping in the sea? He looked like me!”
‘The response from AJ was, “We’re going to get the best Tyson Fury, so I don’t care if he’s carrying a bit of extra weight now, I’m training for the best ever Tyson Fury.”
‘And, make no mistake, Fury will be in top shape for this fight.’