Former unified boxing heavyweight championship, Anthony Joshua could snub Tyson Fury’s blockbuster offer and make his boxing comeback against a different opponent.
The Gypsy King threw down the gauntlet by challenging AJ, 36, to a money-spinning fight after his points win over Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday.
But Joshua did not commit to battling it out with Fury when he makes his first appearance in the ring since being involved in a car accident that resulted in the tragic deaths of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
And Eddie Hearn has revealed the one-time Olympic gold medalist could ditch the fight in favor of facing off against another big name first.
The iconic promoter told Sky Sports, “I don’t know if Fury has signed or not; that is his business. If he has, then that is great.
“We received the contract last week; we are going through that.
“Obviously there has been a lot happening in AJ’s life and we want to make sure that he is ready to return to the ring.
“He is about to get the all clear in terms of the physical side to return to full training and that is great news.
“We expect to see him back in the ring in July. The original plan was to fight in March, then to fight Tyson Fury in August.
“Given everything that has happened, that has been delayed. July and November are the two dates that have been presented to us now and we expect to move forward.”
Joshua has been training with Oleksandr Usyk ahead of potentially heading into the ring against Fury.
And, speaking after coming out of retirement last weekend, the Gypsy King insisted he has already signed his side of the deal.
Fury, 37, said: “He’s just come off of a win, he broke a man’s jaw. And I’ve just come off of a win.
“Let’s get it on, let’s fight, we’re the same age. What’s the hold up? This fight was supposed to happen years ago. Now is the time to do it, it’s still the biggest fight in boxing.
“I have signed my contract, it’s done. I signed months ago. I was surprised he didn’t get in the ring [after the fight with Makhmudov].
“He was brought here to ringside for a reason, to do a face-off and get the fight done. He hasn’t signed but I cannot do anymore.”
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
