WBC Fury Title Can Be Removed If Rejecting Joshua Vs Wilder's Winner
JAKARTA - Heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury could lose his WBC belt if he refuses to fight winner Anthony Joshua (AJ) against Deontay Wilder, according to a claim.
The WBC recently placed Wilder and Joshua as number one and two heavyweight fighters, meaning they can give this fight mandatory status.
World Boxing News claims Fury will lose the prestigious green belt and gold if he does not agree to fight with any of them.
Fury has yet to defend his WBC title since defeating Derek Chisora TKO in the tenth round at Tottenham Stadium in December last year.
The belt will not be at stake in a controversial cross-discipline match against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia next month.
On the other hand, AJ has recently agreed to the requirements to face The Bronze Bomber in December. Saudi Arabia is reportedly the favorite location to host the match.
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, said they had agreed on compensation and other matters regarding the fight. It's just that the official contract has not been signed.
"We have agreed to the money. We have agreed on everything. We are waiting for an official contract, but we will not wait forever," Hearn said.
The absence of contracts binding on AJ and Wilder made Hearn not want to expect much from the duel. He said anything could still happen.
"If it [against Wilder] can't be held, he wants to stay active. If he fights in December, it will be three fights in eight months which is extraordinary for him," he said.