The World Boxing Council has entered former unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, into their latest heavyweight rankings the organization has confirmed. Joshua has been inserted at #6 as talks continue towards an all-British affair with WBC champion and rival, Tyson Fury. Fury handed an olive branch to the former two-time unified champion following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in August, rematching the Ukrainian in Saudi Arabia following his 2021 defeat to Usyk in London.
WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman, confirmed Anthony’s inclusion in the rankings
"Joshua entered the ratings [on] his merits and since he does not have any commitment for another organization," Sulaiman said to Sky Sports.
"He was not rated before because he was champion of other organizations and then he was signed to fight for other organizations."
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed that we already know that the offer to Joshua was a “take it or leave it” offer. The offer consists of the following:
- December 3rd date of the contest;
- 60/40 purse split in favour of Fury;
- Rematch clause for Fury, with a 50/50 split of the purse.
The only seeming stumbling block is details regarding the broadcasting rights to the fight. However this according to Hearn is looking much more positive than first anticipated and that talks are “extremely positive”.
“We tried to negotiate and were told, ‘Take it or leave it.’ And we took it.
“We expect a contract in the next couple of days and hopefully we can move forward with the fight. There’s no reason not to now.”
“People need to realise AJ has never backed down from a fight. He signed for this fight before [in 2021]. He’s accepted the fight again now.
“If they really want the fight, the fight will get made. He’s all in.”
