Tyson Fury has handed Anthony Joshua an ultimatum if they are to put together their all-British heavyweight battle this year.
Fury, the WBC champion, has called for Joshua to sign the contact by Monday, or otherwise he will walk away from the deal.
“We’ll know by Monday anyway [if the super-fight is on] because if it’s not done by Monday I’m moving on,” said Fury, speaking to his promoter Queensberry.
Fury will be a stadium fight this year, whether it’s against Joshua or not
Joshua’s representatives have received a contract and talks between the rival promoters are by all accounts amicable. But time is of the essence if a major fight is to be made by early December.
“I was optimistic about three weeks ago but it shouldn’t be taking this long to sign a contact,” Fury said.
“I’m not waiting around for some guy who’s lost three of his last five fights. He’s lucky that I’m giving him a world title shot. If not he’ll have to wait a long time to get another one.
“I don’t mind chucking him a bone. But I don’t want him to start dictating [stuff] to me. He is an invited guest at my party. My rules. So if you want to play the game, come to the banquet and take your seat. If not, go to your own banquet.”
“Sign the contract,” he said in a direct challenge to Joshua. “I’m going to smash your face in.”
Fury will fight before the end of the year, but the undisputed showdown with WBO, WBA and IBF titlist Oleksandr Usyk will have to wait till next year.
“We offered him [Usyk] the December 17 date in Saudi Arabia for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world,” Fury said.
“Everybody wanted that day and Usyk said he was injured and he couldn’t do it till next year. And now he’s saying I’m scared of him!”
He added, “I’ll put this fist right through his face.”
Fury concluded, “I’m trying to get an opponent for December 3 and if AJ fights then I’ll eat hay with the donkeys and if he doesn’t then I’ll fight somebody else.
“They’re all running scared. I’ll fight anybody, any time, any place.”
