ANTHONY JOSHUA will fight Tyson Fury behind closed doors, taking a hit of around £6.5million, if it means catching the Gypsy King before he retires.
Watford’s WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight king is under Covid-19 lockdown just like the 6ft 9in WBC champ and the rest of the world.
But his mind remains on the job as he revealed this week he hopes he and Fury can both bypass their next respective bouts to free them up for an Undisputed decider.
And if Joshua can placate mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev and undefeated Fury can avoid the Deontay Wilder trilogy dance, AJ will happily take a hit in the pocket to land one on his real rival, who claims to have an eye on retiring.
When his US broadcaster DAZN asked about fighting without the huge ticket sales windfall, AJ said: “100 per cent I would fight for $8m less, 100 per cent I would take the opportunity to fight at the drop of a hat.”
“When you are fighting in front of 80,000 people, whether you like it or not there is a massive impact on your psyche, on your confidence. That urge to perform. I’m performing for the crowd.
“So yes it would be difficult to fight without the crowd there to entertain. But a win is a win, and it goes down in history and this is just part of history.”
“If Eddie Hearn said he managed to secure the Tyson Fury fight, but it is behind closed doors, I would take it.
“If I don’t take it now then I don’t think Tyson Fury will be around by the time this all comes around again, when big hall shows are available. I have to take the opportunity while they’re there.”
I am looking at Tyson Fury like I am going to walk through him as well."
Deontay Wilder and his team have insisted he will not surrender the rematch he is contractually entitled to, despite the one-sided hammering he took in February.
So 30-year-old Joshua is ready and waiting to fight whoever comes out of their hat-trick battle, having evolved again since his shock loss and successful revenge mission against Andy Ruiz Jr.
And he insists this enforced career break could benefit him as he plays catch-up on 31-year-old Fury, who turned professional six years ahead of him.
He said: “We have two current heavyweight champions in Great Britain right now.
"Wilder, it would be good if he stepped aside. Pulev, it would be good if he stepped aside and we got this fight on, as it is one that the world is screaming for.
“It is such a shame that I am in quarantine right now as it has put a halt to greatness. But this is part of history and I am working towards beating Tyson Fury.
“I am looking at Tyson Fury like I am going to walk through him as well. I had my issue last year, I got through it and I want to correct it.
“People don’t know what that does for a fighter mentally when he loses in front of the world and what it takes to come back. Having this time to reflect has been a blessing in disguise.
“We will see what the future holds. When Wilder or Fury are ready I will not turn down that offer at all.
“Another six years from now, when I’m where Tyson Fury in terms of time, I’ll be unstoppable because experience and wisdom are the greatest teachers.”
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