ANTHONY JOSHUA could be given another crack at fighting Tyson Fury next year.
A shock domestic dust-up between the pair was in the works just weeks after AJ’s second successive loss to Oleksandr Usyk but talks failed to bear fruit.
WBC king Fury vowed never to fight his Brit rival after the bout collapsed but has since softened his stance, so much so that co-promoter Bob Arum believes there is a small chance the pair could clash next year.
He told Sky Sports: “Tyson was teed off because he offered Joshua the fight for the end of this year.
“The one that [Derek] Chisora took and Joshua agreed and then pulled out.
“So Tyson is really [annoyed] at Joshua and says he won’t fight him. But let’s see.
“Joshua and Fury down the road could be a massive fight in the UK. We’ll have to see.”
Wythenshawe warrior Fury is currently on course for a March undisputed fight with two-time Joshua conqueror Usyk.
But the prospect of a showdown with AJ won’t be entertained until after The Gypsy King trades leather with the undefeated Ukrainian.
Top Rank Boxing chief Arum, 91, said: “But one fight at a time.
“Right now the only heavyweight championship fight that I’m looking at is Tyson and Oleksandr Usyk.”
Former two-time unified champ Joshua has remained steadfast in his belief a clash with Fury will happen – despite his rival’s toing and froing.
He told iDBoxing: “Well, on my behalf, I would like the opportunity.
“Because the longer we leave it, it’s not good for anyone.
“So, yeah, I would like the opportunity. Good luck with his next fight if he comes through.
“Then I think he’s going to go on to undisputed, and then I’ll be fighting somebody else.
“Then hopefully, we both come victorious, and then we look to fight each other.”
Joshua, 33, is set to be back in the ring in March – but an opponent has yet to be finalised for the former champ’s return.
