Former world champion Andre Ward believes Tyson Fury is making a big mistake by announcing that he's negotiating the terms for a two fight series with Anthony Joshua in 2021.

Fury is scheduled to defend his WBC heavyweight title against Deontay Wilder in a trilogy fight, which promoters hope to schedule by the end of the year.

At the same time, Fury is working out certain details for his next two fights, beyond Wilder.

Ward does not agree with Fury looking that far beyond his trilogy fight with Wilder.

He expects Wilder to be very motivated to get revenge after suffering a stoppage loss at the hands of Fury in February.

“I was one of the ones that were clamouring for an undisputed champion, but I just don’t like the path Tyson Fury is taking. I’m not a fan of giving an opponent, and that opponent right now is Deontay Wilder bulletin board material. This is a man Deontay Wilder, who took his first loss, a humiliating loss, and he’s dealing with his own pride being bruised," Ward said.

“He’s a competitor. If you’re Team Fury, you have to know and leave room for Deontay Wilder showing up at the rematch at the best version of himself. I don’t like the added motivation because even if Fury isn’t overlooking him, that’s how Team Wilder is going to interpret this.”

Another former champion, Timothy Bradley, is in agreement with Ward.

“I’m in consensus with Andre Ward with this one. I don’t like [Fury announcing his next two fights] either, and I believe you’ve got to focus on one fight at a time, and that’s it. You can never count your eggs before they actually hatch. Both of these guys [Fury and Wilder] are obligated to fight the fight already," Bradley said.

“You’ve got Fury needs to fight Wilder, and as Andre said, it’s going to be a tough task for him.”