ANTHONY JOSHUA accepted Tyson Fury’s fight offer in spite of the odds, fearing he wouldn’t get another chance.
AJ has agreed to a 60/40 split for Fury in the return of a WBC Title shot December 3 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Eddie Hearn, promoter, pictured with Anthony Joshua
Joshua succeeds in this feat after a series of defeats to Oleksandr Uzyk, most recently in Saudi Arabia.
Fury was surprised to turn his attention to British rival AJ after Usyk ruled him out of a unification bout.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Joshua's deal, claimed that Joshua would take the same deal as Deontay Wilder after drawing in 2018.
Sky Sports spoke with Hearn: "The only way he can fight Tyson Fury is by accepting these terms."
"So, therefore, okay. It would have been better if we had a win but we're here, and Joshua thinks that I can beat him, and I feel good.
"When he drew near Wilder, Fury was offered the fight against AJ. We offered him 60-40. He said no. He said he would only accept 50-50.
"That's why I wanted to push back against some of the terms.
"But, in the end, it was AJ that overruled and said no just take it. He has always believed that he could beat him."
After months of training, Usyk, 35 has returned to Ukraine, where he was forced to leave his family and friends.
So Fury, 34-year-old, is determined to make a comeback before the end the year and offered Joshua, 32, a chance at his title.
Hearn met with George Warren (son of promoter Frank) to try to reach a deal that had previously failed.
While a date, venue, and financial split seem to have been agreed upon, the task of putting together a TV deal for all remains on the agenda.
Fury has been signed to BT Sport, while AJ's new deal with DAZN is in place for his next fight.
The sports streaming service has just launched a box-office platform which makes it possible to have a rare pay-per view.
When is Tyson Fury scheduled to face Anthony Joshua? Here's everything you need to know about blockbuster bouts
Hearn stated that broadcasters need to have their conversations. This I don't believe will be a problem. It is not difficult.
"If they're real and George tells them they are, then I believe the fight will be won.
George seems to believe that he is telling him to fight. Tyson Fury is a great example of this.
"Is this a plot to speed up Usyk's fight and get more money from a website?
"It could have been a bluff or a little publicity that turns into it actually happening."
"Or it could have been genuine right from the beginning. It could be any thing.
"That's a skeptical view, but for now I believe him. I believe him because it's positive and we can work together to make it happen."
Joshua had originally planned to fight in confidence-building comeback in December, before Fury's unexpected challenge.
Hearn also has other options in case the Gypsy King pulls a different stunt.
He said: "I cannot put AJ’s future in the hands Tyson Fury.
"While we will be positive and helpful, we won't be perfect. I have to make sure that I have a plan B in case this doesn't happen.
Joshua was also excited about the possibility of boxing Fury, but he was already looking at other options.
"We have been looking at potential opponents for AJ in December, and his list is very different from mine.
"So, I don't believe he's interested opponents that he won't get any credit or respect for.
Straightaway, when I asked him about the fight, he said, "Let's go it". He hasn’t suffered any serious injuries. They are eager to do it.
"I believe he's putting in a good performance. He just wants to fight and hopes for the best. He is willing to play the dice."
Tyson Fury has been in discussions to fight Anthony Joshua in December
