Joshua Vs. Fury, for the IBF heavyweight crown this November – it certainly has a ring to it; even if it’s not Tyson we’re talking about, but the world heavyweight king’s cousin, unbeaten contender Hughie Fury. And Peter Fury, trainer of both heavies, says he is keen on his son Hughie challenging Joshua in his next fight. Talking with Sky Sports, Peter said Hughie has been treated for a skin condition and is now in full health when he had in the past been fighting when performing at just “30 or 40 percent.”
And Peter says that Joshua, if he takes the fight, will be up against “the most technically proficient fighter he has faced by a mile.”
“Hughie is in a good place. He’s turning 22 in September, had 20 fights and he’s a lot better physically and in terms of health than he was,” Peter told Sky Sports. “He’s ready to face these kind of fights and there’s no reason why they can’t happen. He’d be the most technically proficient fighter Joshua has faced by a mile. We know what he’s capable of doing. He’s an excellent boxer and he’s very, very tough. He’s good at doing rounds so it’d be interesting. I know Eddie Hearn has some other options and I’m waiting for them to get back to me but as long as the finances are right then we’ll take it.”
Joshua has some other names as possibilities for his next fight: his mandatory, Joseph Parker, reigning European champ Kubrat Pulev, and former WBC ruler Bermane Stiverne. Fury may not be as experienced at world level as Pulev (been in with Wladimir Klitschko, holds wins over the likes of Tony Thompson and Dereck Chisora) and Stiverne (lost the belt to Deontay Wilder and has twice beaten Chris Arreola) but in terms of being able to sell the fight to a British audience, a Joshua-Fury fight would almost certainly prove to be a big hit.
Hughie is a fine fighter in his own right – even if he has, by Peter’s own admission had some “struggling performances” recently, down to the health issue that have now been cleared up – and he also has the Fury name to attract the paying fans. Just imagine Joshua fighting Hughie with big cousin and reigning heavyweight king Tyson Fury watching from ringside (if Tyson is still heavyweight champ by November, his October rematch with Klitschko tentatively set for October 29) – the atmosphere would be quite something.
And though Hughie would naturally be doing his best to win, big Tyson would surely have plenty to say if Joshua did beat up his cousin. Tyson would likely enter the ring, or try to, and challenge A.J to a “revenge” fight. This one would be absolutely massive, no disrespect to Hughie, the kind of massive fight only Tyson and Joshua would be capable of making.
But then of course, what would happen if Hughie boxed the fight of his life and dethroned Joshua? Would the world be ready for TWO heavyweight champions named Fury!
