Frank Warren remains optimistic that a deal can be finalised for Tyson Fury to face Anthony Joshua on December 3, despite ‘The Gypsy King’ claiming that he had moved on from the fight.
Fury had set a deadline of 5pm on Monday for Joshua to sign the contract to face him in Cardiff.
The WBC heavyweight world champion took to social media to announce that the deadline had passed without a signed contract back from ‘AJ’ and that he would be looking for a new opponent, with a verbal agreement seemingly in place with Manuel Charr.
“Well guys, it’s official. D-day has come and gone.
“It’s gone past 5 o’clock Monday, no contract has been signed.
‼️ Tyson Fury has now declared that he will NOT be fighting Anthony Joshua next because AJ has not signed the contract today…
[📽️ @Tyson_Fury] pic.twitter.com/WpwWDAUnv2
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 26, 2022
“It’s officially over for Joshua. He’s now out in the cold with the wolf pack. Forget about it. Idiot. Coward. Sh*thouse. Bodybuilder.
“Always knew it. Always knew you didn’t have the minerals to fight The Gypsy King.
“Regardless of what the f**k you say now, I don’t really care, good luck with your career and your life. End of. Peace out.”
Joshua responded to Fury’s deadline on Sunday assuring him that he would sign the contract, but insisted that it was in the hands of his lawyers.
The 32-year-old’s promoter, Eddie Hearn also said that the contract would not be signed by Monday, with several details still to be ironed out.
Fury’s UK promoter, Warren has offered hope though that the fight could still be staged on December 3, following meetings on Monday between Fury’s exclusive broadcaster, BT Sport and Joshua’s exclusive streaming partner, DAZN – which appears to be the main stumbling block in the deal.
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“We’re trying to get it done by today,” Warren told talkSPORT Drive on Monday.
“We’re working very hard to get it over the line.
“If everyone agreed everything, it would be a huge undertaking, but we could do it that way.
26.09.22 – I agree with Frank! https://t.co/C6DMDFNacq
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) September 26, 2022
“Tyson has told me what he wants. They’ve had the contract for ten days and he’s lost patience with it.
“We’re trying to make it work and we had a good meeting today so we’ll see what happens.”
Fury has been out of the ring since announcing his retirement after beating Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium in April, although the 34-year-old reversed his decision.
‘AJ’ last fought in August, defeated for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
Fighting Fury would present him the opportunity to become a three-time world heavyweight world champion.
