Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers / Tyson Fury (File Photo)

Fury Back In Training As Doubts Linger Over Joshua Showdown

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has returned to training in Miami as uncertainty continues over his highly anticipated all-British clash with Anthony Joshua.

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren confirmed the 38-year-old has started preparations for his ring return, even though both camps are yet to agree on a final venue.

Warren expressed confidence that Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh will soon announce full details of the bout, with talks ongoing between Matchroom Boxing and Joshua’s team to resolve outstanding issues.

Wembley Stadium was initially tipped to host the fight, but moves to stage it in the United States have caused a split. Commercial considerations and the lure of a larger US prime-time audience have seen organisers push for an American venue.

Warren defended the idea, citing the historic 1974 Rumble in the Jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire as an example that big fights don’t have to be held at home.

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has described this week as a “crunch week” for negotiations. He confirmed both fighters have signed contracts, but noted that Joshua’s contract stipulates the fight must hold in the UK.

However, streaming giant Netflix and Alalshikh are reportedly keen on a US staging. Hearn accused the Saudi organizers of trying to breach Joshua’s contract by pushing for Madison Square Garden in New York.

“We’re running out of time. Well, we’re not running out of time because we’re ready,” Hearn said.

“AJ’s already in a big part of his recovery from the last fight, and he’s ready to go back into camp. But there’s a lot of stuff that’s being asked for us to do beyond the contract in terms of the media obligations.”

Hearn added that he has proposed contract revisions, including an increased purse for Joshua to cover the US tax difference, and said they would accept a US fight if the terms are right. He warned the bout could be pushed to December, which both sides want to avoid.

Joshua, 36, bounced back in July with a stoppage win over previously unbeaten Albanian Kristian Prenga after being knocked down twice. A day earlier, Fury, 38, secured a routine seventh-round victory over 46-year-old Pole Mariusz Wach.

Both former champions are now on similar timelines, with Friday, November 20 at Madison Square Garden currently being targeted as the date and venue
Source: PunchNG.com –