Anthony Joshua reveals when he will fight Fury or Wilder
Anthony Joshua has declared that fights against Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder must happen in 2020 following his return to the UK following his victory over Andy Ruiz Jr.
The British boxer won his rematch with Ruiz Jr last weekend after sweeping the scorecards with a unanimous 118-110, 118-110, 119-109 verdict to reclaim the WBA, IBF and WBO belts that he lost to the Mexican at Madison Square Garden in June.
But speaking on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, the two-time world heavyweight champion, who has also officially been ordered by the World Boxing Organisation to defend his WBO title against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk, claimed it is essential he faces at least one of Fury or Wilder next year.
‘It has to happen in 2020,’ said Joshua, who posed for a photo with singers Alfie Boe, Jason Derulo and Michael Ball during his appearance on the BBC radio show.
‘We’re in the same division, same era.
‘If these guys want to make history, especially Wilder because he has the last belt, let’s get it on, let’s make history.
‘We created history becoming two-time champion of the world and I feel like we can add to that legacy in 2020.’
Pushed to reveal which man he wants to face more, Joshua said: ‘Whoever the fans want.’
Both Fury and Wilder are set for their own rematch in February 2020 after a thrilling encounter in Los Angeles last December, which saw them clash in an epic draw, and their immediate focus will be on a fight that is likely to be on American soil once again.
A fight against Fury or Wilder may not be the immediate priority for Joshua either after the WBO’s ruling, with the president stating that Joshua must take on Ukranian Usyk before June 4 next year.
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The Ukranian’s reputation has grown since he conquered the cruiserweight division and made his highly-anticipated step up in weight in October when he stopped Chazz Witherspoon in the seventh round.
But Usyk now faces the prospect of facing Joshua, unless the British boxer vacates his belt, after the WBO ruled: ‘The WBO World Championship Committee hereby orders the parties herein commencement of negotiations for the above-mentioned WBO heavyweight mandatory championship contest.