It is being labelled the fight of the century – that is when Anthony Joshua finally steps in the ring to face Tyson Fury, with the winner unifying the World Heavyweight division.

The two British World Champions must surely fight each other in 2021?

There is no hiding place anymore for the pair as they can’t avoid each other. Both are at the top of their game - so a lucrative deal must be signed with two fights likely to take place next year – it’s odds-on to happen.

When was the last time two British heavyweights fought for a world heavyweight crown? The answer of course was in 1993 when Lennox Lewis beat Frank Bruno. Lewis, like AJ won gold at the Olympics, so their road has a similar pathway – Bruno of course was the darling of the British public like the Gypsy King is now. When they stepped in the ring there was no hiding place – Lewis proved too good for fans’ darling Bruno – but will AJ box too clever for Fury when the gladiators meet?

TV companies want it to happen, the fans want it – but what really counts does AJ and the Gypsy King, plus their promoters want it?

On Saturday night AJ did the business clinically with a stunning ninth-round knockout against the ageing Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev at Wembley, with the fans back in the arena for the first time during this pandemic.
Impressive AJ floored his man in the third round with a combination of jabs and right hooks, incredibly Pulev picked himself off the canvas giving AJ a huge grin as if to say, "You’re not hurting me".

AJ didn’t rise to a brawl for the next few rounds as he kept the dangerous Pulev at arm’s length, impressively jabbing to head and body – the world champ was patient then struck viciously in the ninth with swift upper cuts before a right and left-hand combination wished the Bulgarian a swift good night! He lay poleaxed on the canvas - there was no way back as the referee counted him out. Job done for AJ!

In the post-fight interview AJ and promoter Eddie Hearn were asked if Tyson Fury would be up next?
Joshua replied: “You ask the crowd what they want to see. That's his job! That's Eddie Hearn's job! Last year, 2019, I started this game in 2013, I have been chasing all these belts. It's not about the opponent it's about the legacy. If that man is Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury. 

“It's one fight at a time, picking them off one by one. I've got to stay focused.”

Eddie added: “First of all I want to welcome everyone back. We have missed you. I have talked a lot over the years. Less talk, more action. We are going to be friendly; we know what we must do. Starting from tomorrow, we start with Tyson Fury. I know he wants it. AJ will break him down; he will knock him out. Less talk more action.” 

AJ finished by saying: “I know who I am, I am the best version of me. I am the best IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO champion I can be. Have a Merry Christmas everyone, thank you very much.”

But Fury laid into Joshua after his impressive display for refusing to fully declare his interest in a mega-bout next year during his post-fight interview, insisting that the 'legacy of the belts' was more important to him than the opponent. 

The Gypsy King responded on Twitter: “Anthony Joshua it’s only a matter of time. I’ll spank you like I did Deontay Wilder. It will take 2 or 3 rounds. #letsgetiton.”