Tyson Fury has responded to the latest uncertainty surrounding his trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder by challenging Anthony Joshua to meet him in December instead.
It was believed that Fury-Wilder III for the WBC heavyweight title "The Gipsy King" won from the American in their second fight would land on Dec. 19, with Joshua set to be confirmed as defending the WBA (Super), WBO and IBF belts against Kubrat Pulev seven days before that.
After fulfilling those obligations, Fury and Joshua would then advance to a super fight against each other in 2021, unifying the division if they were able to retain their respective gold. The two sides have already agreed in principle to what could be a two-fight deal.
However with Bob Arum recently confirming his prospective date is a no-go, an impatient Fury told Talksport that he’d happily just fight Joshua sooner instead and vowed to fight someone — anyone — before the year is out.
“I’m in very good shape, I’m very ready to fight right now, but the problem is I keep hearing different stories about what’s actually happening in my career," said Fury. “I’m supposed to be boxing on December 19 in Las Vegas against Deontay Wilder in the trilogy, but every two days I hear a different story; they’re trying to bring it forward a week or put it back a week, whatever. The one thing I want to announce to the world is I will be fighting in December, whether it’s Wilder in Las Vegas, or if it’s Joe Bloggs in England.
“I want to fight now! I’m ready to go today, tomorrow, next week or the next couple of months. I made it very clear that if we can’t fight in America I want to come back to the UK and do a homecoming, have a fight here in the UK against whoever, I don’t care. With or without a crowd, I don’t care. I’m about one hour from going totally AWOL if I don’t hear any news."
What Fury said he doesn't want is a waste of a training camp and ending up having to wait even longer for a fight.
“I’ve been training since March, twice a day six days a week, I’m ready for this fight. I’m ready to go," he said. “Tell AJ to grow a pair and let’s step up in December and fight! Let’s get this big AJ fight on, let’s get it on. … If Wilder doesn’t happen, let’s fight in December and give the fans what they want to see. I’ll fight any man born from his mother, I don’t care. I’ll destroy all comers, I’m like a seek and destroy missile.
“If this Wilder fight ain’t happening in December, then I’ll step up and I’ll smash Anthony Joshua into next week.”
One obstacle preventing Fury vs. Joshua from happening earlier than hoped could be Pulev and his team.
Ivaylo Gotzev, Pulev's right-hand man, said last month they would consider legal action if the contracted showdown between Joshua and the Bulgarian — set for earlier in the year until the coronavirus pandemic got in the way — does not go ahead as hoped before Christmas.