Anthony Joshua could be stripped of world title if he fights Tyson Fury as WBO president insists he defend title vs Usyk

ANTHONY JOSHUA could be stripped of his WBO world title if he fights Tyson Fury before his mandatory bout with Oleksandr Usyk. It has been confirmed this week that the 30-year-old has agreed a deal to fight the Gypsy King twice next year. Joshua looks set to face Fury after his showdown against IBF mandatory […]

ANTHONY JOSHUA could be stripped of his WBO world title if he fights Tyson Fury before his mandatory bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

It has been confirmed this week that the 30-year-old has agreed a deal to fight the Gypsy King twice next year.

Reuters

Joshua looks set to face Fury after his showdown against IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.

But WBO president Paco Valcarcel has insisted Usyk is in line for his shot at the belts before Fury.

He said: “Love to see Joshua fighting Fury for the undisputed, but WBO mandatory [Usyk] should be next.”

Should AJ decide to swerve the fight against Usyk in order to face Fury, he could be forced to hand over the WBO belt.

Joshua, who boasts a record of 23-1, currently holds the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles.

The only strap he does not have is held by Fury following his win over Deontay Wilder in February.

Britain’s top two heavyweight boxers plan to unify the division when they lock horns in 2021.

AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed Fury and Joshua have agreed to fight each other twice.

Each star could pocket a whopping £55million after agreeing on a 50/50 split of the purse for their first fight.

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren confirmed the fight will take place – but does not think it will happen in the UK.

He told talkSPORT: “I’d love it to go on in the UK, I think we’d all like that.

“But I’m being very realistic. I do think it will happen abroad.”