Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua: Better Late Than Never?
The contractual negotiations if we’re being honest were an absolute mess. I’ve resisted the urge to put a swear or two in that opening sentence. We hope that the big heavyweight blockbuster will be far less messy.
We know it’s been years in the making. Ten. Five. Who cares? We are here now.
Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno was a massive event all those years ago. Fury and Joshua is on a completely different stratosphere.
Both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are more than a few years removed from their prime. But they have slipped at virtually the same rate. That helps in gettng a fight to match the occassion. Fury is 38. Joshua will turn 37 later this month. Despite that slippage, and the long delay, we still have a fight of much intrigue. It’s not now about who is the best heavyweight on the planet. It’s now about who has the most left. A personal rivalry that will be settled on erosion.
It’s not what it once could have been. But it’s still the biggest heavyweight fight in British boxing history. It’s the biggest fight in British boxing history, period. Which, in truth, it is the only reason why we are here. If the money wasn’t here. Fury and Joshua wouldn’t be here.
It’s past its sell-by date, certainly in terms of theirs fighting primes and the title relevance. Forget the meaningless WBA super-heavyweight bauble that’s on the line. One sanctioning body just had to do it, didn’t they? They just can’t leave it alone. The fight doesn’t need it. The sport certainly doesn’t need it.
Today’s London press conference was largely good-natured. To the surprise of many, there was plenty of mutual respect. It lacked an edge. Fury wants to go for a pint with Joshua after the fight. Joshua wasn’t too sure. The dynamic was a little weird. But don’t be fooled by the current lack of fire in their words. That will undoubtedly change the closer we get to the first bell. It probably needs to.
The Max Kellerman opening monologue was too long. I’m being kind. But when we’ve waited this long, what’s few more minutes?
Fury and Joshua will still entertain. It might even be more entertaining than what we might have got a few years ago. An early morning straightener in Wales. Having the fight in the UK was a big win, and an important one for Team Joshua. It’s the only place where it should be. It should be at a more convenient hour, and the ticket prices should be a whole lot more affordable. But they will still sell. Have no doubt about that. A sign of the times, and a sign of just how big this still fight is.
It is a fight about pride, not to mention the money of course. We can be negative about it. And with some justification. But it’s better late than never. As Frank Warren quite rightly said, we will still be entertained.
Photo Credit: Netflix
