PROMOTER Eddie Hearn has revealed Anthony Joshua would be willing to vacate his WBO belt to face Tyson Fury next year.
The 30-year-old has agreed terms on a two-fight deal to pit his wits against the WBC champion in 2021.
And Hearn stated last week how he is ready to send out a formal contract for the undisputed domestic dust-up.
But AJ faces the prospect of having to fight Oleksandr Usyk first should he beat Kubrat Pulev later this year.
Unbeaten Ukrainian Usyk is in line to face Joshua, and if he emerges victorious against Dereck Chisora next month, he will be the WBO mandatory challenger.
Hearn has insisted that even though Joshua is keen to meet Usyk inside the ring, he will prioritise a clash against the Gypsy King.
Speaking to Boxing Social, he said: “There’s been a lot of talk about ‘give up the belt,’ but the aim for Anthony Joshua is to be the undisputed heavyweight champion.
“Will a belt get in the way of him fighting Tyson Fury next? Probably not.
“Will he vacate a belt and fight Tyson Fury next? Yes, I believe he would if he had to, but would he rather maintain all the belts? One million percent.
“I know Tyson Fury has said, ‘I already had all the belts.’ I know, but you’ve never been undisputed.
“I hope that means something to people because it means a lot to Anthony Joshua if we get to a position where AJ is fighting Fury regardless of whether the WBO allows their title to be on the line.
“It’s almost like I want to go to Usyk and say, ‘Look, we’re going to vacate the title, but can we vacate it the day after the fight?’”
Before adding: “Right now, the only way we can determine who the best heavyweight in the world is by AJ fighting Tyson Fury.
“No one can dispute that. Whoever wins that fight will be number one. That’s the fight that AJ wants. Would AJ fight Usyk? One million percent.
“If Fury got injured or if the talks broke down, or if for some reason that didn’t get over the line, he will fight Oleksandr Usyk if he beats Chisora. But I know he wants to fight Tyson Fury.”
