“I believe that [Joe] Joyce and [Joseph] Parker are fighting for the WBO interim championship, but I have not confirmed that. All of the variables may change.”
Prospects of a showdown between Fury and AJ have faded somewhat in recent years, and they could be dealt another blow if Joshua loses his prospective rematch with Usyk after being outclassed in their first bout. The duo are set to face off later this year for the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles, which Fury could chase to become undisputed heavyweight champion.
Whether Fury will even be an active fighter by the time a potential AJ showdown comes around is another matter altogether, and he passionately maintains that his retirement promise is no publicity stunt. “This is the truth, the gospel truth, nothing but the truth. I’m done,” he told Piers Morgan on TalkTV.