After his convincing win over Deontay Wilder on Satuday night, it is now widely accepted that Tyson Fury is the top fighter in the heavyweight division. The 31-year old produced a remarkable performance, dominating his opponent until the fight was stopped in the seventh round.
While Wilder has confirmed that he will exercise the rematch clause that was present in his contract for the fight, many expect there will be a similar outcome on that occasion. That would set up a mouthwatering fight between Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has long been accused of dodging big fights with the other stars in the heavyweight division, but a unification fight against Fury now seems unavoidable. Eddie Hearn certainly seemed up for it, with Joshua's promoter tweeting this after Saturday's bout:
No need for a third let’s go straight to it in the Summer! #undisputed
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) February 23, 2020
However, he will have to come up with some major cash to make the fight happen. Tyson Fury's father, John Fury, said that his son will want a huge payday to commit to the bout and that he is sick of playing second fiddle to his opponents. He told iFL TV:
Unless Eddie Hearn can come up with £500million for the fight, it’s not going to happen, because that’s what it’s worth.
My son won’t sell himself cheap no more. He’s always in the away corner.
He’s always supposed to lose, but he’s beaten reigning champions in their own backyard, you have to get some serious money out for him now.
I’d be asking for £500m for the two fighters, split down the middle, let them get on with it. Biggest fight in the world.
Fury would enter that fight as favourite, having ended Doentay Wilder's undefeated record.
The air of invincibility around Joshua has certainly been removed since his loss to Andy Ruiz last year, with many now questioning his boxing ability. It certainly he seems doubtful that he could outbox Fury, and Tyson's father doesn't give him a chance of beating his son:
Joshua couldn’t beat Andy Ruiz, he’s terrified of Tyson, he’d put him in Royal Infirmary, I’d be fearing for Joshua’s life.
Listen, AJ, this is to you. This is not about you as a person, you’re a lovely young man, you’ve done great for your country, you’ve got the belts.
But I’m talking in fighting terms, I don’t think you’re a true fighting man. Bob Arum said the same thing and I was thinking it long before him.
You’re a nice guy, you look well, you’ve got a big future, but when it comes to the beating, fighting, lion heart, you haven’t got it.
