Anthony Joshua confirms intention to sign Tyson Fury proposal

Anthony Joshua insists he has every intention of signing his contract to fight Tyson Fury as soon as possible after the Gypsy King issued him with a very controversial deadline.

Fury was in Manchester on Saturday night to watch Joe Joyce beat Joseph Parker by knockout and revealed that he was prepared to walk away from a long-awaited bout against AJ if the contract was not signed by close of play on Monday.

‘I was optimistic about three weeks ago but it should not be taking this long to sign a contract,’ said the 34-year-old.

‘We will know by Monday anyway because if it is not done by Monday I’m moving on. I’m not waiting around for some guy who has lost three of his last five fights.

Joshua has now moved to calm such fears in a video posted on social media, expressing his intent to sign the agreement.

“I’ve been signing contracts for years. It ain’t in my hands, it is with the legal team, that’s why you hire lawyers. You know the history of boxing, make sure you get your legal terms right,” he said.

“That’s why you have good management and good lawyers. Of course I’m going to sign the contract, it’s just with some lawyers at the minute.”

A fight between Fury and Joshua would likely set the heavyweight scene for 2023, with the winner then poised to face off against Oleksandr Usyk in a unification bout.

Joe Joyce’s victory against Joseph Parker in Manchester on Sunday has set the Brit as the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBO title, though he may have to wait for his shot.