By Matthew Cooper
Anthony Joshua has hinted he could finally fight Tyson Fury in September, following the Gypsy King's undisputed heavyweight showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury is set to face Usyk in Saudi Arabia on May 18 in a blockbuster bout for the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF titles. And when asked about his fight plans while at the London Marathon, Joshua told BBC Sport his future depends on the result of Fury vs Usyk.
"Boxing is changing a lot, there is a new player, Turki Alalshikh, who is taking the world by storm," Joshua said on BBC One. "He is doing what he wants for the fans, it's amazing. So if the fans demand it, I know that he will deliver. I know the fans want me and Fury, I want that. I'm not going to give away plans, but he is a man of action. It's coming, most definitely it's coming."
And when asked if a bout against Fury would be next for him, Joshua hinted the pair could fight in September.
"To be honest, he said be ready for September," Joshua explained. "Why he said that is because they have got a fight on June 1, all the heavyweights, five vs five, Eddie Hearn vs Frank Warren.
"And they have got Fury vs Usyk in May. And then they will have me in September. It's unbelievable." Joshua's comments come after he met Alalshikh, who said they were "waiting for the result of Usyk vs Fury" before deciding AJ's next move.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has stated he expects Alalshikh to set up a clash between Fury and AJ if the Gypsy King beats Usyk next month, despite the Ukrainian fighter having a rematch clause.
"I never thought I would be OK saying I am not the most powerful man in boxing but I am not, Turki Alalshikh is," Hearn said earlier this month. "He is the biggest fight fan I have ever met and all he wants is the biggest fights and the biggest moments.
"Fury and Usyk have a two-fight deal. But if Tyson Fury beats Oleksandr Usyk in the first fight, the whole world is going to say 'please don't do the second fight'. It's worth north of £100m for each guy.
"It's the richest fight ever, the biggest fight ever."
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