Anthony Joshua admits he would relish a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk, but believe fans are clamouring for a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury.
Joshua is on a run of four straight victories since successive defeats to Usyk, who challenges Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
The Watford man confirmed that his next fight will be on either September 20/21 at Wembley Stadium, the first time he would have fought at the national stadium since stopping Alexander Povetkin there in 2018.
‘AJ’ says he would entertain another meeting with Usyk, but has questioned whether there is enough public interest for a third clash with the Ukrainian, who relieved him of his WBA ‘super’, WBO and IBF heavyweight world titles.
“Let’s go,” Joshua told talkSPORT when asked about a Usyk trilogy bout.
“100%.
“Ultimately, it’s what the fans want.
“If the fans want to see it, they’ll get it, you know.
“But for me personally, of course I’d love to compete with Oleksandr Usyk plus many more, but it’s really what the fans want and I don’t think that’s the number one pick on their wishlist.”
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The 34-year-old revealed that he is set to face either the winner of Zhilei Zhang vs Deontay Wilder or the victor of Daniel Dubois vs Filip Hrgovic, with both clashes taking place on the Queensberry vs Matchroom 5vs5 card in Saudi Arabia on June 1.
Joshua, who blew away Francis Ngannou in two rounds in March, has also welcomed a third fight with Andy Ruiz Jr, but insists a long-desired bout with British rival Fury is more likely.
“When you look at me, you know I’ll take on anyone and at the same time there’s an element where the promoters want me to fight certain people,” he added.
“As I said, the fighters that they want me to fight is out of that pool of the 5vs5 card on June 1 and then after that they’re looking at the Tyson Fury fight.
“I would fight Usyk, I would love to.
“I would fight Andy Ruiz, I would love to.
“But at the same time, it’s what the fans want and I think they want me to head towards Tyson Fury, correct me if I’m wrong.”
