AJ Closes In On Grudge Match with Wilder
Anthony Joshua has finally agreed to face Deontay Wilder in a long-awaited grudge match. Despite a venue not being finalized yet, this bout could become a mandatory WBC title challenger eliminator.
Will Fury Lose His Crown?
Tyson Fury may be stripped of his WBC heavyweight title if he refuses to face the winner of the Joshua vs Wilder fight. The WBC, the Mexican sanctioning body, has ranked both Wilder and Joshua as their top two heavyweights and could enforce mandatory status on the matchup.
Fury's Inactivity and Controversial Clash
Fury has not defended his WBC crown since his last fight against Derek Chisora in December 2020. In his upcoming fight with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia, the WBC title will not be on the line. Instead, a gimmick "Riyadh Champion" belt will be up for grabs.
Joshua's Promoter in Search of a Venue
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, is currently searching for a site to stage the Joshua vs Wilder fight. Once the official contract is signed, the highly anticipated matchup can take place. Hearn also mentioned that if the fight with Wilder falls through, Joshua wants to stay active and potentially face Fury next.
Possible Fight Locations
Hearn mentioned that the fight may not take place in the UK, as Joshua has already had two consecutive fights at The O2 Arena. Potential locations include Madison Square Garden or somewhere in the Middle East. The priority for Joshua is to stay active and keep fighting.
