Anthony Joshua has told Tyson Fury to fight Moses Itauma ahead of their blockbuster showdown later this year.
The ‘Gypsy King’ announced his retirement from boxing last year after suffering back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. However, it did not take long for Fury to perform a drastic U-turn. The Morecambe brawler returned to action last month against Russian fighter Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Fury cruised to a comfortable decision win in front of over 60,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. The 37-year-old then issued a call-out of Joshua – who was sitting ring-side – but ‘AJ’ refused to enter the ring and go nose-to-nose with his long-time rival, much to the disappointment of many boxing fans. Just days later, though, the two stars finally agreed to a fight – which is set to take place later this year.
Joshua must first get through Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia next month, while Fury is also interested in another tune-up fight. Rather than facing a relatively easy opponent, ‘AJ’ has urged the former two-time heavyweight champion to trade leather with rising star Itauma.
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Fury is hoping to return in August, while Itauma is also eyeing a return to action in the same month. Itauma – who has not fought since his destructive knockout victory over Jermaine Franklin – is regarded as one of the biggest stars in boxing right now, and will no doubt be a dangerous fight for anyone right now.
But Joshua has informed Fury to test himself. “[Fury] was saying to me when I was looking for an opponent for this day, he was like, ‘Fight [Fabio] Wardley, fight Itauma, these fights are easy to make if you’re looking for a comeback fight,'” he told talkSPORT.
The Brit added: “So I think that [Itauma] would be a perfect name because they’re all under the same promotion. So if Fury is what he says he is, maybe he should step forward and Frank [Warren] should put his fighter forward instead of worrying about what I’m up to.”
Fury’s next opponent is expected to be announced soon – and it’s highly unlikely it will be Itauma who he squares off with next. Providing both Fury and Joshua get through their respective fights next, fans can finally look forward to one of the most highly-anticipated fights in British boxing history.
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And Joshua is very much excited by the prospect of facing the ‘Gypsy King,’ but is aware has to get his hand raised against Prenga in Jeddah. “Bring on Prenga, but bring on Fury as well,” he said. “I’ve happily signed the contract, I saw it was a two-fight deal when it was presented with the Fury fight.
“They told me when I beat Prenga, it would be Tyson Fury. But it’s no problem to me, and there’s no pressure. I know what is required of me and I stepped up to the plate.”
