Anthony Joshua has teased that his long-awaited mega clash against Deontay Wilder could land on the undercard of the proposed Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight title fight.
Joshua and Wilder appeared on course for a January showdown, however the Brit’s promoter, Eddie Hearn said last week that it won’t take place in January and ‘AJ’ is likely to fight in December against an alternative opponent to the American, who has not fought since knocking out Robert Helenius in one round last October.
WBC heavyweight world champion, Fury has agreed to face unified WBA ‘super’, WBO and IBF titlist, Usyk in what is reportedly a two-fight deal, providing he overcomes ex-UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
Joshua, who has returned to the USA to begin training camp with Derrick James, was at the United States Grand Prix on Sunday and revealed that he has heard whispers of his fight with Wilder featuring on the undercard of Fury vs Usyk.
“If they [Fury and Usyk] get this undisputed fight on,” the 34-year-old told Sky Sports.
“Which has been looming for a while.
“Word on the street is, it’s supposed to be the undisputed fighters and then the undercard is supposed to be a big lively one between me and Wilder.
“But in the meantime, we’re going to be active this year.
“I’ve set my goals, three times this year.
“We’ve still got about two months of the year left now and I’m going to still potentially get a fight in and end this year on a high god willing and then move onto the next year and go out there and kick some more behind.”
A date for Fury to finally meet Usyk has not been finalised, although December 23 in Saudi Arabia has been touted.
An all-British showdown between with ‘The Gypsy King’ has eluded Joshua, but the 34-year-old, who knocked out Helenius in August insists he remains keen to deliver the eagerly-awaited bout before his career is over.
“For me personally, I’m here for the fans and I know what they want and my job is to deliver.
“I will 100% do my end of the bargain.
“It’s up to the other team to play ball, but one step at a time.
“December, I want to get out.
“April, I need to be victorious and then we can talk about the big fight [against Fury] in the future.”
