Fury vs. Joshua is on the path to oblivion as the United Kingdom looks set to miss out on its greatest heavyweight sagas in the modern era.
A lack of cohesion between their respective promoters, which is downright insulting to both at times, hinders the opportunity to put together a fool-proof deal.
Unlike Bowe vs. Holyfield or Ali vs. Frazier, boxing in this generation has nearly always lost out on the best fighting best. It’s only recently that undisputed champions have been crowned due to jockeying for position.
But unlike the heavyweight division, it never seemed a likely scenario that the two champions with the belts would meet.
Fury vs Joshua
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are prime examples of this. In 2021, they both held titles and were on the verge of a massive clash for all the marbles.
When fans plead for fights to happen, they rarely take place. Even Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao took five years to make.
Both were arguably passed their best by 2015 when they finally went through the Pay Per View motions.
The sport has changed so much in the last twenty years. It’s no longer the case that those at the top are even allowed to be great.
Promoters and managers seem to have their agendas at times. These blueprints are nothing to do with giving the paying public the very top match-ups.
Blueprint
Never mind talking about a Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua deal and that they’ve agreed on 50-50. The two heavyweight champions should be laying down a plan to fight once a year until the end of their respective careers.
Fury had to fight Deontay Wilder, granted. But there was a way around it a year before, as it took eighteen months for Fury vs Wilder III to transpire.
At the same time, Joshua fought Pulev before Oleksandr Usyk. Either of those facing Wilder on an undercard to battle with the winner could have gotten worked out.
But they didn’t sit down around a table together and thrash anything out with the protagonists involved. Their representatives never discussed the situation like adults.
Usyk could have gotten some compensation, along with Wilder or Pulev. The chance of the undisputed title would be incentive enough.
Trilogy saga
Once Fury vs. Joshua I was over, which should have taken place in 2020 or 2021, Usyk, Wilder, or Pulev would face the undisputed champion.
Provided Fury or Joshua comes through unscathed, the rematch would have been on for the summer of 2022.
Sadly, nothing got worked out. Both sides obviously didn’t want to work together, and now both don’t hold a heavyweight crown.
It seems Fury vs Joshua is destined not to happen despite being the most significant amount of money for any British fight being at stake.
Missed opportunity
These two Brits had the chance to go down in history as two of the best to lace up gloves from their shores. But only if they had engaged in a trilogy saga like Fury vs Wilder.
Nobody had the determination or seriousness to take us back to the days when two of the best heavyweight champions of their day engaged in battle regularly.
It was the only way to stave off many questions when they both walked away for good. An opportunity missed.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
