Joshua calls out Tyson Fury after victory over Jermaine Franklin
Anthony Joshua has demanded a fight against Tyson Fury following his victory over Jermaine Franklin.
The former world champion picked up a much-needed win over the American back at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
After back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, losing his IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles in their first fight two years ago, the 33-year-old will now hope to force his way back into the world title picture.
𝐀𝐉 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 💪@anthonyjoshua wins over 12 rounds against a game Jermaine Franklin 👏#JoshuaFranklin | @WilliamHill pic.twitter.com/QPtvyggPp0
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 1, 2023
"Last time I grabbed the mic it was a bit chaotic" 😅@anthonyjoshua is back in the win column ✅#JoshuaFranklin | @WilliamHill pic.twitter.com/zjPm8oQ1zO
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 1, 2023
Fury, who holds the WBC belt, had been on course to meet Usyk in a historic undisputed clash this spring only for that fight to spectacularly fall through last week.
A Battle of Britain between ‘The Gypsy King’ and Joshua has also fallen through twice in recent years, but the former Olympian called out his rival following his victory at the O2 Arena.
‘The ball is in his court,’ Joshua said.
‘I would 100 per cent be honoured to fight for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world. I stand here and say that proudly and with honour.’
Addressing Fury, he continued: ‘Wherever you are, if you’re listening, you know my management, you know my promoter, we’ve had dialogue before, so let’s continue and get this on sooner or later.
‘We aren’t getting any younger. I can’t wait to get back to Texas and push on because there is a bigger fight. One fight leads to another and I can’t wait to get the next big fight.’
Promoter Eddie Hearn was hopeful this week that negotiations that failed in the second half of last year can be picked up again, suggesting draft contracts could even be exchanged as early as next year.
‘I truly believe that as long as AJ beats Franklin we will see him against Fury in the summer,’ Hearn said.
‘Both sides had a deal finalised for a December fight. That fight fell through but the contract is still with both sides.
Joshua went the distance but got the job done (Picture: Getty)
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‘Disputes over purse splits wrecked Fury-Usyk but we have an agreement in place of 60-40 in Tyson’s favour. He was going to get 70-30 against Usyk but everyone accepts that AJ is a bigger draw for the UK fans than Oleksandr.
‘I have had talks this week with George Warren (Fury promoter Frank Warren’s son and consigliere) and fundamentally the original contract is still in place.
‘And we all know that the timing is perfect now, as it happens because of the circumstances with Usyk. And that this is the very last chance for this huge fight to happen.
‘I expect to be exchanging pilot contracts with Queensberry soon. Maybe as early as next week. AJ knows there’s a big opportunity. At last. So much at stake now. But he also has his total focus on Franklin.’