WBC heavyweight: In the latest step toward a potential all-British fight with champion Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua has climbed the WBC heavyweight rankings.
The two-time world champion was moved up to No. 6 after consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, who won the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles in a rematch last month in Saudi Arabia by a split decision.
Prior to realising Usyk wouldn’t be able to box again until 2023, Fury, who defeated Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April, appeared to be open to an undisputed matchup.
Since then, he has called out Joshua on social media and presented the 32-year-old with a 60-40 payout for a fight that was originally scheduled for August 2021 until an arbitrator determined that Deontay Wilder was entitled to a third fight with Tyson Fury.
The WBC’s requirements for a champion for Fury to defend his championships in either a voluntary or mandatory defence are met by Joshua’s admission into the top 15 as a previous world champion.
Fury recently suggested two prospective dates for the fight: November 26 at Wembley or December 3 in Cardiff.
There is currently no mandatory challenger in place to take on Fury, with Andy Ruiz being ranked second after defeating Luis Ortiz in their eliminator, and Wilder currently ranked first ahead of his eliminator against Robert Helenius in October.
Mahmoud Charr, who has a record of 33-4 (19 knockouts) after defeating Nikola Milai in the third round in May, has now issued a challenge to fight Fury.
The 37-year-old, a former WBA regular champion, has also just moved up to No. 19 in the WBC rankings.
“Tyson Fury, take the fight. I’m ready to knock you out. Take my challenge. I’m ready for you, man. No excuses,” said Charr in a social media video at the beginning of the month.
Fury responded: “Diamond Boy, I’ve got a certain little middleweight that I’ve got to put that fist through first. However, if he doesn’t want any smoke, you can surely get it. Pressure will break diamonds.”
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