Tyson Fury opens talks with Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn over all-British showdown next year
The 30-year-old Gypsy King saw his reputation rocket after he stunned the world by climbing off the canvas after a round-12 combination from Deontay Wilder on December 1.
The Brit giant got a dodgy decision in the WBC world title draw but his stock flew up after three years without a competitive fight.
And the Morecambe showman has already been on the phone to his old verbal sparring partner about an all-English showdown with AJ.
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed: “Tyson messaged me the other day and I just said ‘well done' – we’ll see what happens.
“I am not revealing what was said but he was alright. He’s always seemed alright with me.
“We’ve always had good conversations outside of the public domain. I just said to him, ‘Fair play, I didn’t think you’d do it, you proved me wrong again’,".
Hearn watched super-welterweight Kell Brook labour to a disappointing points win over unknown Michael Zerafa on Saturday in his hometown of Sheffield.
The bout was supposed to a final tune-up for a summer domestic battle with nemesis Amir Khan, but the Bolton fighter seems set to swerve that for a welterweight title shot with Terence Crawford, leaving Brook high and dry.
And Hearn admits the same underwhelming form could strike AJ if he does not secure a big enough name for his spring dance under the Arch.
When asked if Watford’s IBF, WBA and WBO ace could fall flat without a high-profile partner, he said: “Possibly. I think everyone’s always talking about it so it’s a bit like Kell in that.
“When Josh boxed Joseph Parker people were already talking about Wilder. And he said he fought that fight almost thinking like it.
“And that’s why he was a bit ploddy, maybe not willing to take as many chances as he normally does.
“Against Alexander Povetkin he kind of changed his mindset. He was very, very ill but he still won by knockout.
“But maybe it depends who he fights. He wouldn’t be flat to fight Dillian Whyte because there is history and it’s a dangerous fight.”
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren claimed in Los Angeles that Hearn was setting up an underwhelming April 13 Wembley bout between his unified heavyweight champ and undisputed cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
The Ukraine genius is considering a move up in weight and Joshua is already interested in testing his power against Usyk’s style.
But Hearn shot down Warren’s claim that the deal was already done, saying: “Apparently it’s done isn’t it? Frank said it, so it must be true. No, nothing is agreed.
“I’m seeing him next week in New York. He may face Joshua in April but I’d be very, very surprised.
“He doesn’t know if he wants to move to heavyweight and, if he does move to heavyweight, does he want to fight Joshua for his first fight? It’d be a bit ballsy wouldn’t it?
“Maybe he fancies it but there have been absolutely no negotiations with Usyk for a fight in April.”
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