TYSON FURY is adamant he will fight twice in 2021 – with or without Anthony Joshua.
And the WBC heavyweight champion opened up his frustration having seen a summer trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder and comeback in December cancelled.
Fury, 32, told ESPN: “It was just a big mess-up. I should have boxed, because I’ve been so inactive. I’ve been out for over a year.
“By the time I fight again, looking at maybe June if this Joshua fight happens, that will be a year and six months out of the ring, which is not ideal preparation for any super-fight.”
Fury, 32, won the title in February 2020 but amid the coronavirus pandemic an immediate rematch never materialised.
Wilder, 35, has since launched a legal dispute after it was argued the clause in his contract for a shot at revenge expired in October.
Fury was then due to face a tune-up opponent in December but again it fell by the wayside, while AJ knocked out Kubrat Pulev, 39, the same month.
The heavyweight champions are still in talks for a historic undisputed title decider this year.
But to make up for time, Fury is demanding two fights in 2021 from his US promoters Top Rank – whether it be against Joshua or not.
He said: “If that fight doesn’t happen this summer, it’s got to happen sooner or later.
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“But Top Rank has to give me two fights this year. I will fight two times on ESPN. I don’t care who it is.
“If it’s not Joshua, we’re looking to fight in April or early May, and the end of the year.
“If it is Joshua, then June and the end of the year. Bang, bang. So, 2021 is looking bright.”
For the first time in heavyweight history, all four WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts are due to be on the line.
SunSport understands the deal is set to be announced at the start of March and a non-disclosure agreement is keeping negotiations top secret.
Saudi Arabia, which hosted AJ’s December 2019 rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr, is leading the race to hold the fight.
America, Qatar, Dubai, Singapore and China have also all expressed their interest in hosting.
But like many fans, even Fury is sweating on overcoming all the obstacles in order to deliver the biggest fight in British boxing history.
He explained: “They’ve had a full year to try and make this fight happen.
“Since the last Wilder fight, even before the Wilder fight, they were talking about a fight potentially between me and Joshua.
“They’ve had a full year to make something happen, and it hasn’t happened as of yet.
“It is what it is. We’re no further forward today than we were a year ago.
“The way [the pandemic] is at the moment, I don’t think [negotiations] got much to do with the fighters.
“It’s to do with the venue, date, place, site fees. It’s to do with everything but the fight itself.”
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