{"id":798025,"date":"2026-10-10T11:20:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T11:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/798025\/"},"modified":"2026-10-10T11:20:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T11:20:08","slug":"heavyweight-champion-responds-to-anthony-joshua-targeting-him-after-tyson-fury-lets-do-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/798025\/","title":{"rendered":"Heavyweight champion responds to Anthony Joshua targeting him after Tyson Fury: “Let’s do it”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anthony Joshua<\/a> could soon face one of the heavyweight division\u2019s most ferocious punchers, but must first defeat Tyson Fury in their Battle of Britain on December 11.<\/p>\n

The pair will finally collide at Cardiff\u2019s Principality Stadium, with the winner set to become a three-time world champion by claiming the WBA \u2018super\u2019 title.<\/p>\n

This is in spite of Murat Gassiev currently reigning as the sanctioning body\u2019s only heavyweight titlist, given that Oleksandr Usyk vacated his three major belts in June.<\/p>\n

Prior to that, Gassiev had claimed the WBA \u2018regular\u2019 title by dethroning Kubrat Pulev<\/a>, who he stopped with a vicious sixth-round knockout last December.<\/p>\n

The former unified cruiserweight champion then orchestrated the same outcome against Peter Kadiru in July, with many viewing this as a first defence of his full WBA title.<\/p>\n

Following the announcement of Fury-Joshua, however, it was reported that the organisation\u2019s \u2018super\u2019 title will be on the line in Cardiff.<\/p>\n

As a result, there is a degree of doubt over Gassiev\u2019s championship status but, in fairness to Joshua, the 36-year-old has said he would be happy to face the Russian next year.<\/p>\n

In a social media clip posted by BoxingScene<\/a>, Gassiev has now responded to the former two-time world champion and accepted his challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Anthony. I heard you want to fight me. Let\u2019s do it. I\u2019m ready. Anytime, anywhere. See you.\u201d<\/p>\n

While \u2018AJ\u2019, indeed, seems keen to face Gassiev in 2027, many are forecasting a defeat to Fury who, despite not looking his best, did manage to convincingly defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Joshua, on the other hand, suffered two knockdowns before scoring a second-round finish over Kristian Prenga<\/a> in July, and so will enter the ring this December as underdog.<\/p>\n