LONDON — Anthony Joshua said he would be ready to fight world champion Tyson Fury in December after he was issued a public challenge to fight a ‘Battle of Britain’ for the WBC heavyweight boxing belt.
Joshua, 32, suffered a second straight loss to Ukraine’s WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion Oleksandr Usyk in a title rematch in Saudi Arabia last month and has said he wants to return to the ring before the end of the year.
Fury announced last April that he was fulfilling a promise to his wife to retire but has subsequently said he will fight again.
“I think you’ve all heard that I am going to be fighting soon within the next few months,” Fury said in a video according to Reuters.
“Anthony Joshua, I know you’ve just lost a fight to Usyk and you’re bout-less at the moment, and I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight me for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world and the lineal championship in the next few months.
“You’re coming off a 12-round fight, so you’re match fit, you’re ready. I’m giving you a few months’ notice,” added the 34-year-old.
Usyk said after the fight in Jeddah that he was only interested in a bout with Fury but media reports have said he will not fight again this year in order to rest and spend time with his family.
“If you’re interested I’ll send you the date over and we can rumble,” Fury told Joshua in the video.
“A Battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world. Let me know if you’re interested, if not I will select another opponent.”
Joshua responded saying he would be ready to fight if Fury stuck to his word.
Fury has been linked with a unification fight against Oleksandr Usyk after the Ukrainian beat Anthony Joshua for the second time last month to retain his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts.
“I said let’s do the fight this year, wherever they want to do it. I’ve been waiting for countries to come forward,” Fury said.
“All of a sudden Oleksandr Usyk has stated he does not want to fight any more – he wants to fight next year not this year.
“I am not going to wait around for anybody and I will be announcing a fight next week.”
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