Tyson Fury waiting for Anthony Joshua to sign deal for comeback fight
Fury shocked the boxing world back in January after announcing his retirement from the sport. His announcement came just a few weeks after losing to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time. Following the defeat to the Ukrainian, many had hoped to see Fury and Joshua go head-to-head this year.
Joshua has not fought since sufferin a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois last September. The 35-year-old is aiming to return to competitive boxing before the end of the year, following elbow surgery. Eddie Hearn - Joshua's promoter - recently confirmed that 'AJ' is in discussions with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh over a new multiple fight deal.
In an interview with Boxing News, Spencer Brown - Fury's manager - provided an update on his star client's future. 'First of all, I think they've got to sign the deal first. That's the most important part. What they're very good at, the Saudi Arabians, is a course. A road, and they want to know what road it is," he said.
"And if they can get the road in the right place, then they'll sign whatever deal you want as long as you're happy and they're happy with it. But they think forward. So, it's a great move for Anthony Joshua, isn't it? A three-fight deal. Amazing. Amazing. Tyson's retired. Like I say, we never know though, do we?
"But he's very busy at the moment. He's actually in the best place I've ever seen him. He's 12lbs above his fighting weight as well. He looks really well. He's happy. He's got his kids with him constantly. Will he fight again? He's the Gypsy King, who knows?'
Joshua has not given up hope of finally realising a bout with Fury. The Brit is not convinced that his rival's retirement is final and appears confident that a fight could still materialise. The British pair agreed a two-bout deal in 2020 but saw plans scuppered when it was ruled Fury had to permit Deontay Wilder a trilogy fight.
In a recent post uploaded to Snapchat, Joshua shared an image of himself watching Fury fight, saying: "One of these days I'll be standing in the opposite corner. Ready and fully charged spiritually." Fury himself has declared that he has nothing left to prove in the sport.
The 'Gypsy King' quickly dismissed rumours of a return to boxing, questioning the point of a comeback. "I hear a lot of talk about the Gypsy King returning to boxing and I ask this question: for what? What would I return for? More belts? I've won 22 of them," he said. "I've been rumped, that's it, fair play to them, they got their use out of me. But I'm happy, I am happy, content with what I have achieved and accomplished.
"I've been around the world and back again. And this is what retirement looks like for the Gypsy King, not too shabby." He further added: "I'm in no rush at all, to come back to boxing and get my face punched in. For what? What would I return for? I ask that question. I am retired and I am staying retired. I have nothing to prove to anybody and nothing to return for."
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