Coronavirus: I'll fight Tyson Fury behind close doors even if it means losing $8m from gate fees - Anthony Joshua says

Heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has revealed that he wouldn’t mind fighting heavyweight rival Tyson Fury behind closed doors due to the Coronavirus pandemic as Tyson Fury might have retired from the sport by the time sports activities possibly returns fully in 2021.

The British rivals, who hold the four heavyweight world titles between them, were supposed to meet in December after Joshua defends against challenger Kubrat Pulev in June and Fury defends his WBC belt against Deontay Wilder, but the Coronavirus disease truck, shutting down sports all over the world.

And now with the future of sports and boxing unclear, Joshua says he will fight Fury even if it means him losing money gotten from gate fees as he will like to fight Fury before he retires.

“If Eddie Hearn (Joshua’s agent) said he managed to secure the Tyson Fury fight, but it is behind closed doors, I would take it,” Joshua told DAZN sports network.

“If I don’t take it now then I don’t think Tyson Fury will be around by the time this all comes around again, when big hall shows are available. I have to take the opportunity while they’re there.

“It is such a shame that I am quarantine right now as it has put a halt to greatness, but this is part of history and I am working towards beating Tyson Fury.

“I am looking at Tyson Fury like I am going to walk through him as well. I had my issue last year [losing to Andy Ruiz], I got through it and I want to correct it.

“People don’t know what that does for a fighter mentally when he loses in front of the world and what it takes to come back. Having this time to reflect has been a blessing in disguise.”

”When you are fighting in front of 80,000 people, whether you like it or not there is a massive impact on your psyche, on your confidence,” he added.

“So it would be difficult to fight without the crowd there to entertain. But a win is a win, and it goes down in history and this is just part of history. ”

“Economically I’m taking a big hit like the rest of the world. I would definitely fight for the love of my sport and economically I’ve got that hunger in me, even if I drop five dollars or pounds, I’m turning back to get it. I’m never too big to earn a buck

“One hundred per cent I would fight for $8m less [from no gate receipts]. One hundred per cent I would take the opportunity to fight at the drop of a hat.”