Anthony Joshua says longtime rival Tyson Fury can "redeem himself from the circus" of his collapsed undisputed heavyweight title bout with Oleksandr Usyk by agreeing to meet him in the ring.
The much-anticipated heavyweight unification bout between WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champion Usyk and WBC belt-holder Fury was scrapped last week after the Ukrainian's promoter blamed Fury's “unacceptable” demands.
Joshua said: "There's no better time to get Fury in the ring than now because he needs me to redeem himself from this circus, this letdown.
"He needs me so there's no better time than for him to call my name out and I'm someone that will take on any challenge."
Joshua, whose record stands at 24 wins, 22 knock-outs, and three losses, takes on Jermaine Franklin at London's O2 Arena on Saturday, his first ring appearance since losing his rematch to Usyk in Saudi Arabia last summer.
The Englishman, 34, has said he is targeting one "last run" at heavyweight gold and emulating the great Muhammad Ali as the division's only three-time champion.
Fury called off a proposed bout against Joshua last year, saying his rival had missed a deadline in which to agree terms for what would have been the biggest fight in British heavyweight history.
Fury, 34, then set his sights on facing unbeaten 36-year-old Usyk in what would have been the first undisputed heavyweight contest since 1999.
But after weeks of negotiations, both parties announced an agreement could not be reached due to a dispute over the terms of a potential rematch.
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Anthony Joshua looks angry after losing against Oleksandr Usyk in their world heavyweight bout on a split decision at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in August. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk after retaining his world heavyweight titles in a split decision against Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PA -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk after winning in Jeddah. PA -
Oleksandr Usyk reacts after his victory. PA -
Anthony Joshua speaks to the crowd following his defeat against Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk touch gloves at the end of the fight. PA -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with his belts and his team. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after retaining his world heavyweight titles. PA -
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with the flag of Ukraine. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images -
Anthony Joshua on the front foot against Oleksandr Usyk. PA -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk trade punches. Getty -
Anthony Joshua evades a right. Getty -
Oleksandr Usyk after receiving a low blow. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk lands a right on Anthony Joshua. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in action at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah. PA -
The ring is cleaned between rounds. Reuters -
Anthony Joshua evades a punch from Oleksandr Usyk. Getty -
Anthony Joshua with a body shot. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk throws a right. Action Images -
Oleksandr Usyk in action against Anthony Joshua. Action Images -
Anthony Joshua made a low-key entrance at King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah. Getty -
Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn before the fight. PA
World Boxing Council chief Mauricio Sulaiman said it was "extremely disappointing" that negotiations between Fury and Usyk to unify the heavyweight titles had broke down. Unbeaten in all 33 bouts as a professional, Fury has held the WBC crown since February 2020.
“The WBC has been extremely supportive of the ultimate unification fight between Fury and Usyk to determine the undisputed champion in the heavyweight division,” Sulaiman told Sky Sports.
“It is extremely disappointing that such a match will not take place as this window of opportunity will not be there in a long time, it will be difficult to have everything aligned as there are mandatories for each organisation.”
Sulaiman added that a final elimination fight between former champions Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr would determine Fury's next opponent.
“The WBC convention ruled that a final elimination would take place between Wilder and Ruiz to determine the mandatory contender of the division," Sulaiman said. "The WBC had been waiting for the confirmation of the unification fight so we will now review the following steps to be taken."
However, that fight, which still has no date, is also in doubt. Both Wilder and Ruiz had been promoted by Al Hayman's Premier Boxing Champions before the former announced last month that he was a "free agent" and open to offers from rival promoters.
Wilder fought an epic trilogy against Fury, drawing the first fight before losing the next two – the last via an 11th round knockout in October 2021. Ruiz shocked the boxing world when he knocked out then champion Joshua in June 2019 only to lose the rematch in Saudi Arabia six months later.
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WBC champion Tyson Fury knocks out Deontay Wilder in the 11th round of their incredible heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas in October, 2021. EPA -
Tyson Fury on his way to the ring for his WBC heavyweight title fight with Deontay Wilder at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas on October 9, 2021. AFP -
Deontay Wilder makes his entrance before the fight. Reuters -
Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder prepare to fight. Reuters -
Fury in action against Deontay Wilder in round one. Reuters -
Tyson Fury on the front foot. Reuters -
Tyson Fury lands a punch on US challenger Deontay Wilder. AFP -
Tyson Fury on the attack. Reuters -
Deontay Wilder is knocked down by Tyson Fury in the third round. Reuters -
Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Deontay Wilder knocks down Tyson Fury in the fourth round. Reuters -
Tyson Fury reacts after being knocked down by Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Tyson Fury gets up after he was knocked down twice in the fourth round. AP -
Tyson Fury was in big trouble in the fourth round. Reuters -
Tyson Fury receives attention in his corner. Reuters -
Tyson Fury fights back against Deontay Wilder. EPA -
Deontay Wilder goes down on one knee as the referee holds back Tyson Fury during round six. AFP -
Tyson Fury in action against Deontay Wilder in an incredible fight. Reuters -
The action continued at a frenetic pace as Fury started to edge ahead on the scorecards. AP -
Deontay Wilder swings at Tyson Fury as the battle continuedn into round nine. AP -
Tyson Fury raises his arms after knocking down Wilder in the tenth round - but that wasn't the end. Reuters -
Deontay Wilder is given the count in round ten. Reuters -
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury knocks out US challenger Deontay Wilder in the 11th round. AFP -
What a fight! Tyson Fury knocks out Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Tyson Fury KOs Deontay Wilder in the 11th round. AFP -
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury starts his celebrations. AFP -
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury after his victory against US challenger Deontay Wilder in the 11th round. AFP -
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury after his victory against US challenger Deontay Wilder in the 11th round. AFP -
Tyson Fury celebrates after defeating Deontay Wilder to retain his title. AP -
Tyson Fury after winning the fight against Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Tyson Fury's team celebrate. Reuters -
Tyson Fury gives an interview after the fight. Reuters -
Tyson Fury celebrates with his wife Paris. Reuters -
Tyson Fury poses for a photograph with promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, trainer SugarHill Steward, wife, Paris and team during a press conference after Fury won the fight against Deontay Wilder. Reuters -
Tyson Fury poses for a photograph with promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, trainer SugarHill Steward and commentator, Crystina Poncher. Reuters -
Tyson Fury during a press conference after winning the fight against Deontay Wilder, as promoter Bob Arum looks on. Reuters -
Promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren. Reuters -
Tyson Fury poses for a photograph with promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum. Reuters -
Tyson Fury and trainer SugarHill Steward with the belts during a press conference. Reuters -
Tyson Fury speaks on his phone during a press conference after winning the fight against Deontay Wilder. Reuters
