Anthony Joshua can’t pick a winner between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, but he is backed to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.
Retaining all four belts has been a clear goal in Joshua’s career, but back-to-back losses to Usyk, previously the only cruiserweight champion, may have ended the dream for good.
Usyk now holds Tyson Fury’s remaining belt – the WBC – WBA, WBO and IBF titles on February 17.
While some believe Joshua’s support of the Brit in hopes of a future showdown – perhaps a world title shot – won’t lose its luster, he revealed to TNT Sports that his support is firmly with his former opponent.
“I don’t know [who will win], but I’m still Usyk’s team. [There is] respect, but Fury said a lot of bad things about me. I will never ride with someone who does not respect me. That would drive me crazy and I’m pretty balanced. So I go with someone who shows me respect.”
When asked if he would still be willing to face Fury if Usyk won, Joshua said yes, but time is running out.
“In terms of entertainment, yes. It’s a bit long though. They have two quarrels. The first and then the rematch. It may be Fury’s only two fights next year.
Hopefully he can sneak up on me at the end of the year, but it will be another twelve months before I see Fury. But we still got Wilder or Parker. We have other big battles.”
Joshua will return to the ring on December 23 against Otto Wallin. If he and Deontay Wilder, who faces Joseph Parker on the same card, win, they are expected to fight on March 9.