WBC Prez Embraces The Idea of Fury vs. Joshua Showdown

World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaiman has embraced the possibility of a fight between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former unified beltholder Anthony Joshua.

Joshua is coming off back to back decision losses to IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Even with the defeats, Sulaiman likes the idea of a UK showdown between career rivals Fury and Joshua.

"Fury made his mandatory defense in April. He is in a voluntary stage and the WBC will determine all mandatories of all divisions at the convention in Acapulco on November," Sulaiman said to Sky Sports.

"Fury vs Joshua will always be an interesting match, especially for the UK. Fury is without a doubt the best heavyweight of today and is in his prime."

Fury has no mandatory due at the moment. The WBC order a mini-tournament to crown his next mandatory challenger. Andy Ruiz defeated Luis Ortiz in the first leg. He will meet the winner of next month's clash between Deontay Wilder and Robert Helenius - with the overall winner becoming Fury's next mandated opponent.

"The WBC has sanctioned those two bouts and the Board will review each division [in November]," Sulaiman said.

Fury has offered Joshua a 60-40 monetary split. 

The two sides are now discussing potential dates and venues, but many observers - including Fury's co-promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank - highly doubt that fight will come off.

"I have seen that they are trying to wriggle a little bit with the date because we officially have Manchester United's football ground booked for November 12, however they are saying that is too short," Fury told Talk Sport.

"So, what I have got that's even better than that is Wembley Stadium booked for November 26 of this year. And if he doesn't want to go to Wembley at the end of November, I even have a December date for him - December 3 at Cardiff.

"So, take your little pick, dosser. There's no wriggling. One of them is 11 weeks [away], one is 12, so if a professional athlete who is shredded all year round can't get himself in shape in three months, there is a problem."