Tyson Fury could still yet face Anthony Joshua over an immediate rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
That is according to Fury’s co-promoter Bob Arum, who appears to have revived excitement in the heavyweight rivals finally doing battle at Wembley Stadium before the end of 2024.
A two-way rematch clause has been inserted to Fury’s contract for his undisputed clash with Usyk on May 18, and it was anticipated that a sequel would follow immediately.
Although Top Rank promoter Arum has now suggested Usyk may be offered a step-aside deal so that the pair can finally do battle.
He told Sky Sports: “Looking at Tyson Fury, if he beats Usyk and fights Usyk again and beats him and then does a massive fight hopefully in the UK at Wembley Stadium against Joshua, that would really put an exclamation point to his great career.
“There’s always a chance when there’s one entity putting up the money, as in this case the sovereign fund, the entertainment division in Saudi Arabia, they can have a tremendous influence on the fighters.
“And maybe if Fury is successful they can make it worthwhile to Usyk to step aside to allow a Joshua fight to happen this year.
“The Saudis also, with having all this money, who can dictate the place, are also very intelligent.
“And they would, I think, like nothing more than to do that fight in Wembley with 95,000 people where they were the promoters.
“I think that would do more for their image than doing that fight, Fury and Joshua, in Saudi.
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“But that’s up to them. That’s what I feel in talking to them briefly about the future.”
A rematch still clearly remains the most likely option, but it will likely depend on the outcome of their showdown in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi chief H.E. Turki Alalshikh suggested he would like to see Joshua challenge the winner of Fury v Usyk next despite the agreement.
His desire to make the fight was expressed before Joshua’s KO win over Francis Ngannou in March, and AJ has yet to book a fight.
But the agreement between Fury and Usyk is unlikely to be broken, particularly if the fighter on the losing end is desperate to find immediate redemption.
Fury is looked in brilliant shape having made a remarkable transformation since his lacklustre win over Francis Ngannou.
The ‘Gypsy King’ could make history by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Only one fight will be on the minds of fans for Fury if he beats Usyk comfortably, but that will be a mean feat in itself.
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News Summary:
- Tyson Fury’s co-promoter claims he could still face Anthony Joshua this year at Wembley Stadium
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