BRITISH boxing fans will finally get the fight they want to see after Eddie Hearn confirmed Anthony Joshua WILL fight the winner of Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
Both heavyweight giants have so far avoided WBA, WBO and IBF holder Joshua with talks hitting an impasse.
But it appears a huge title scrap will be on the horizon following the result of the Las Vegas fight on February 22.
Fury will finally have a rematch with his rival over a year after their controversial draw.
The Gypsy King will be desperate to land the American’s WBC title belt before eyeing a scrap with AJ to decide who will become the undisputed heavyweight king.
Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, believes the fight simply has to happen and admits he will offer a 50-50 purse split to fight the Watford-born star.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “For once I agree with my esteemed colleague [Frank] Mr Warren, the winner has to fight Anthony Joshua, there’s no doubt about it.
“Fury is talking a brilliant game for this fight and he’s an excellent self-promoter.
“The fact is, we have made offers to Fury and Wilder of 60/40 way before they were actually as relevant as they are now and they both turned it down, so we have been actively trying to make this fight, we’ve been round the houses, it’s been talked about for ages.
“’60-40 to both and they wanted 50/50 when they weren’t as relevant as they are now.
“Like I said in an interview the other day, maybe we will have to make that offer next but there’s no point talking about a deal until that fight is over but when that fight is over we have got to get it made.”
Hearn admitted he wants Fury to come out on top because it will be a lot easier to arrange the blockbuster bout.
He added: “Tyson Fury, one thing is for sure, will fight Anthony Joshua. He actually wants to fight Anthony Joshua and I believe that, and I know AJ wants to fight Tyson Fury.
“He’s doing a lot of work now in America, you know he’s got Top Rank, MTK, it would be very easy to make that deal with Fury.
“Wilder, he’s made a few comments that makes me think, like he said yesterday that Joshua just isn’t relevant. (Joshua’s) got four of the belts in the heavyweight division, he’s the biggest star of the division, of course he’s relevant.
“We believe Joshua is the best fighter in the world, Fury believes he’s the best in the world, Wilder believes it as well. Everybody has got their opinions but the proof is in the pudding.
“Wilder vs Fury doesn’t tell you who the best heavyweight in the world is, the winner of that fight against AJ tells you who the best heavyweight in the world is and we have to see it.”
Anthony Joshua poses with Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall and model Daisy Lowe as he hosts dinner at plush London restaurant
HEAVYWEIGHT champ Anthony Joshua rubbed shoulders with fellow celebs and models as he hosted a luxury meal at a plush Mayfair restaurant.
The WBA, WBO and IBF title holder continues to enjoy his time out of the ring before a fight with Kubrat Pulev is confirmed and the hard work gets underway.
Joshua, 30, invited guests to London’s Amazonico restaurant on Thursday – the venue of a launch for a new plant-based ice cream brand called RØAR.
The Brit star posed with the likes of Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwell and model Daisy Lowe while a photographer snapped them together.
Also in attendance was fitness influencer Bradley Simmons and models Charli Howard and Jada Sezer.
Joshua dined with his guests inside the rainforest-themed Latin American restaurant and sushi bar where meals don’t come cheaply.
An average plate costs around £25 while a Wagyu fillet steak dish will set one back £144.
They specialise in fish dishes while also offering a selection of charcoal-grilled meats.
It was a more laid back atmosphere than Joshua’s last night out where he rapped 21 seconds on stage with So Solid Crew’s Lisa Maffia.
He wowed the crowd by taking time out of his busy schedule to visit Garage Nation where he got his moment on the mic and absolutely nailed it.
AJ is braced to fight Bulgarian brute Pulev in his next scrap as he is mandate for his IBF title.
