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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

Tyson Fury's dad makes plan to pressure champion to accept Anthony Joshua fight

Tyson Fury's dad John would strongly encourage his son to face the winner of Anthony Joshua's rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury declared that he had retired from the sport after making a successful defence of his WBC crown against Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium back in April. The winner of Joshua's second meeting with Usyk now looms for the 'Gypsy King' but he suggested he will not break his retirement promise unless he is granted a purse of £500 million.

However many figures close to Fury including his wife Paris believe he would return to face Joshua, which the champion later reiterated by offering to fight his rival for free. The champion's father John believes that Fury should challenge for the undisputed crown and has backed him to beat either Joshua or Usyk.

“If Joshua gets the win, then it’s all to play for isn’t it,” Fury Sr told talkSPORT when assessing the chances of his son fighting for the undisputed heavyweight titles. “Even I’d want [Tyson] to do that, I’d pressure him to do that. And Usyk, why not? He can beat them both at a canter so why not?

“But don’t be surprised if AJ pulls it off. I’ve got a sneaky feeling again that AJ’s going to do it and he has this remarkable way of bouncing back doesn’t he.” Fury Sr previously dismissed his son's retirement claims as "bull****" and believes the champion will return in some way shape or form later this year.

Joshua and Fury had agreed to face each other for the undisputed titles last year, and the contracts were even signed but the fight fell at the final hurdle. Fury was instead forced to accept a trilogy with Deontay Wilder which he won before moving on to defeat Joshua's former opponent Whyte.

Who wins if the pair finally fight - Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua? Let us know in the comments section below

Anthony Joshua will face Oleksandr Usyk next weekend (Mark Robinson)

A fight between Joshua and Fury has been clamoured for several years by sporting fans who believe a fight between the pair would be the biggest in British history. If Joshua is to lose to Usyk, it could see the pair separate once again on their paths with the fight looking unlikely to happen at all.

Any contest would likely be worth mega-money for both men, with both Joshua and Fury touted to have been on course to earn around £100 million each for their previous agreement. However Fury has claimed he is even willing to take the contest for free in a bid to finally settle the scores.

"This is a reconfirmation of what I've said about fighting Anthony Joshua for f*** all in England," Fury said. "The fight's got to be for free, free-to-air television and all tickets go for free.

"No money is to be made out of this British, historic fight if it happens. There's the terms, I'm in the driving seat, take it or f-ing leave it. The ball is in your court, guys, take it or leave it, either way, I don't give a damn, there's the offer, peace out."

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