Fury fight has to happen this year - Joshua - Voice of Asia - Telling Stories from Asia to the World!

Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has stated that his fight with Tyson Fury "has to happen this year" as he is arranging his next bout. A showdown between the two British rivals has been discussed for years but has never materialized.

Given both have suffered losses in their world title pursuits, Joshua confirmed that Fury is the opponent he wants to face next. Joshua said, "It's a fight I want to see because I'm a boxing fan. When I'm in the gym, everyone's asking me (about the fight). I haven't got many years to waste. I want to leave the sport with a legacy and make an impact."

"Everyone's asking me the same question. It's down to me to make it happen, which is why I'm saying it has to happen this year. I think we can make it happen," Joshua said at The Ring magazine awards ceremony in London, which was also attended by Oleksandr Usyk. When speaking about Fury, Joshua admitted that no talks have yet taken place with Fury's team regarding a potential fight.

Fury lost to unified world champion Usyk in December, while Joshua was defeated by IBF champion Daniel Dubois in his most recent fight in September. Chris Eubank Jr. also attended the awards ceremony alongside his rival, Conor Benn. Benn and Eubank Jr. have been in long negotiations for their fight since Benn's anti-doping ban was officially lifted in November.

There have been disagreements between the two camps regarding purse split, but Eubank Jr. stated that the fight is still expected to take place in 2025. "That fight will happen," Eubank Jr. said. "We're in negotiations, and they're going very well. We're dealing with the last few things that need to be ironed out, and then the fight will be announced. So yes, big things are coming soon."