The eagerly-anticipated undisputed world title clash between bitter rivals Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has been given the blessing of the WBC.
The heavyweights reached a financial agreement earlier this year over what would be the biggest heavyweight fight in decades, and both have been trading barbs for some time now, increasing the hopes that an explosive encounter in the ring will finally come to fruition.
And now WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has removed a potential obstacle by giving his backing to the showdown, praising both athletes and insisting his organization will ‘absolutely support it’ and help to make the all-British bout a reality.
Dillian Whyte was the WBC’s mandatory challenger to Fury’s belt but his defeat by Alexander Povetkin ended his hopes, for now, of a title fight. The Russian’s next bout is set to be a rematch in January, and the WBC have not yet confirmed whether the winner will be due a shot at their champion after that.
Instead, speaking this week to Sky Sports, Sulaiman said that the WBC wants to see Fury take on Joshua.
He said: “There’s absolutely great hope from the world to see that undisputed fight.”
“Tyson Fury is our champion, our pride. Anthony Joshua holds the other belts and he has been a tremendous asset to the sport. A gentleman, a great career.”
“To see this showdown, Fury-Joshua, would be tremendous for everyone in the sport of boxing. We will absolutely support it.”
Joshua is in line to defend his WBA, IBF, and WBO belts against Kubrat Pulev on December 12.
Victory over the big Bulgarian would ensure Joshua remains on course to meet WBC titleholder Fury in two mouth-watering super-fights.
Fury, meanwhile, entered a mediation process over a disputed third fight with Deontay Wilder.
The ‘Gypsy King’ was contractually obliged to face America for a third and final fight, after a controversial draw in their first meeting and a resounding victory for Fury in their second.
But Fury’s camp claimed that clause had expired and that Wilder had missed his chance of a trilogy fight.
Sulaiman added: “The WBC has no blocks right now. There is no mandatory contender. There is an issue that we are aware that Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have some sort of mediation process going on and that’s the only thing, but we don’t have any details.”
“We’re just hoping that everything gets resolved and everybody is happy and we see great fights inside the ring.”
