Anthony Joshua's chances of facing Tyson Fury in the ring this November have taken a significant hit. According to reports, Joshua's contract dictates that the fight must take place on British soil, while Fury's contract allows for a meeting in the US.
The proposed 2am GMT ring walks in Saudi Arabia, already a farcical idea, have been thrown into further doubt. Joshua's team is reportedly considering whether he is in the right mental state to return to the ring in November, just five months after a car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his teammates.
Joshua's recent win over Kristian Prenga was marred by a second-round knockdown, which has raised concerns about his chin. Fury, meanwhile, looked unimpressive in his victory over Mariusz Wach in Thailand, sparking speculation that the two fighters may be past their prime.
The 36-year-old Joshua and 37-year-old Fury have been linked to a highly anticipated showdown for years, but the latest developments suggest that the fight may be delayed until 2027 or even scrapped altogether. It's not the first time that the two fighters have been unable to come to an agreement, and it remains to be seen whether they will be able to overcome their differences.
Fury's performance against Wach was seen as a lackluster effort, with some suggesting that he may have declined more severely than Joshua. The "Gypsy King" has been known to look comfortable in his fights, but this time around he seemed to be coasting against a 46-year-old opponent.
Joshua's recent training with his old rival Oleksandr Usyk in Ukraine has been cited as a positive step, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to get him back on track. The boxer has been praised for his determination and ability to bounce back from adversity, but the fact remains that he was dropped by the first meaningful shot Prenga threw.
As one boxer told the Independent, Joshua vs Fury could be a case of "chin is gone" versus "legs are gone". The fight has become an endless and frustrating loop, with each step towards a showdown inching further out of reach.
It's not just Joshua and Fury who are to blame for the delay – their teams and matchmakers also bear some responsibility. Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi matchmaker, had proposed 2am GMT ring walks, which were always going to be problematic.
The delay in the fight has sparked concerns about the mental and physical state of both fighters. Joshua's team will need to assess whether he is ready to return to the ring, while Fury's camp will need to decide whether he is willing to take on the challenge of facing Joshua.
The future of the highly anticipated showdown remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the boxing world will be watching with bated breath as the situation develops.
Source: Yahoo Sports