Promoter wants Tyson Fury to fight Anthony Joshua next instead of Deontay Wilder rematch

Frank Warren says if Wilder, who Fury beat in Las Vegas last weekend to win the WBC heavyweight title, insists on a third fight 'we're locked into it'

Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder during their rematch in Las Vegas in February 2020.

Tyson Fury celebrates defeating Deontay Wilder to win the WBC World Heavyweight Championship at the Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Tyson Fury celebrates with the belts after winning the fight.

Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder in the fifth round.

Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder.

Tyson Fury celebrates after knocking down Deontay Wilder.

Tyson Fury watches Deontay Wilder hit the canvas.

Tyson Fury knocks down Deontay Wilder.

Tyson Fury in action against Deontay Wilder.

Tyson Fury at the end of the first round.

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder in the first round.

Deontay Wilder enters the ring.

Tyson Fury arrives in the arena.

Tyson Fury makes his entrance.

Former Heavyweight Champions Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.

Former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis in the ring.

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson before the fight.

NFL player Patrick Mahomes attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Boxing Hall of Fame member Mike Tyson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Former NFL player Chad Ochocinco Johnson.

Boxing Hall of Fame member Thomas Hearns attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

NBA Hall of Fame member Magic Johnson attends the WBC heavyweight title bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and head coach John Gruden.

Tyson Fury's promoter Frank Warren says he would prefer to see the newly crowned WBC heavyweight champion in a unification match with Anthony Joshua for his next fight, but accepts that they will first have to persuade Deontay Wilder to forgo an immediate rematch.

Fury produced arguably the greatest performance by any British heavyweight on foreign soil to dismantle the previously unbeaten Wilder over seven brutal rounds at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas on Saturday.

While Wilder has told US media he will activate a rematch clause for a third installment with Fury - their first fight in December 2018 ended in a split-decision draw - Warren said he does not want to delay a mouth-watering match-up with Joshua, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts.

"I prefer to go straight to Joshua but that's the contract," Warren told the BBC. "If he [Wilder] insists on the fight, we're locked into it.

"It has to be honoured unless we reach some accommodation for him to step aside. We could pay him to step aside if he wants to do that, but that's his choice.

"It would be lucrative for him, but I have spoken to his manager and Deontay does believe he has the beating of Tyson, and he can knock him out," added Warren.

"I don't believe that. I fancied Tyson to stop him before the fight at the weekend."

While Warren attends to those negotiations - Wilder has just under 30 days to activate the rematch clause - Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua's interests, says he is determined to fix a heavyweight title showdown between his client and Fury.

Hearn told Sky Sports he would do everything possible to agree a deal, and both sides would be "clowns" and "idiots" if they did not make the fight happen.

He warned, however, that while both men would want the fight to be in Britain, the money coming from overseas - with Saudi Arabia, scene of Joshua's victory over Andy Ruiz Jr last December emerging as a front-runner - might be too much to turn down.

"Everybody is very clear on this. Everybody wants this fight - Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, MTK, Top Rank, Frank Warren, Matchroom," said Hearn, referring to those involved on both sides.

"There are some hurdles to overcome on the broadcasting, but nothing too much.

"I promise you this fight will happen."

Talks are ongoing for Joshua to fight mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev, of Bulgaria, next, with Hearn saying this month it was likely to be at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London in June.

"If we have to fight Pulev, we've got to beat Pulev, and if he [Fury] has to fight Wilder, he's got to beat Wilder again," said Hearn. "Both of those things will happen. Fury will beat Wilder again and Joshua will knock Pulev clean out.

"You will get this fight. We will do everything that it takes to make this fight. Last time, you had us and Team Wilder and we were locking heads.

"Right now, you have two guys and two camps that genuinely want this fight, that genuinely will do everything that they can to make this fight. It is the only fight."