The crossover fight, set to take place in October, will be conducted under boxing rules
Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has hit out at Tyson Fury for agreeing to a fight with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, calling it a “nonsense” matchup.
Fury, the WBC title holder, recently announced his decision to compete in a non-title fight with Ngannou, who is the lineal heavyweight champion in his division. However, Ngannou will not have the opportunity to win Fury’s belt as the bout will be conducted under boxing rules.
Joshua, who is currently preparing for a rematch with Dillian Whyte and a subsequent bout against Deontay Wilder, has joined the chorus of critics who have questioned the legitimacy of the fight.
In response to a question about the fight, Joshua candidly shared his thoughts in an interview with IFL TV as reported by The Mirror. He said, “One – I shouldn’t give a f***, it’s none of my business. It has no business concerning me. It pays me no business. Number two – Why? He should’ve been fighting for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Straight up. That’s nonsense. His fault. Three – If we’re acknowledging his business, good luck to the man. Do your thing. If it’s right for him, what’s it got to do with me? That’s my three views on it.”
Earlier this year, discussions were in their final stages for a highly anticipated clash between Fury and Usyk, which would have marked the first undisputed heavyweight title fight in the era of four-belt champions. However, negotiations hit a roadblock and they ultimately moved on from the fight.
Joshua, speaking to the media on Monday, suggested that Fury was not genuinely interested in facing Usyk. “What happened with the champ [Fury] saying ‘I’m training for Usyk,’ then his coach comes out and says ‘I’m not training for him’?” Joshua questioned. “You’ve got to call him out. If that was me, what would people say? I’m going to start holding people accountable. Yes, Usyk didn’t duck, Fury did.”
Joshua’s comments refer to recent photos that emerged of Fury allegedly training with his coach Sugarhill Steward. However, it was later revealed that Fury was simply doing light training at the gym, which he had borrowed to Lawrence Okolie, who was preparing for a fight in Manchester.
