Tyson Fury says fight with ‘great’ Anthony Joshua ‘has to happen’ in 2021

Heavyweights could face off next year in an all-British bout to unify their world titles

Tyson Fury has stressed his wish to book a seismic heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua as soon as possible, saying: "Next year, the fight has to happen."

WBC title-holder Fury and compatriot Joshua, who retained his WBA, WBO, and IBF belts with a ninth-round stoppage of Kubrat Pulev at the weekend, hold all four of the major heavyweight straps between them.

Talk of an all-British unification bout to determine the undisputed champion in the weight class has escalated in recent weeks, with Fury calling out Joshua moments after his rival's win over Pulev.

READ MORE: What must happen for Joshua vs Fury to take place in 2021?

He has since repeated his aspiration to face Joshua in 2021, saying: "Next year, the fight has to happen. [Joshua has] come over his final hurdle last week against Pulev. Now we're both free to make this fight.

"I'm willing to do the fight. It'll be the first time since Lennox Lewis 20 years ago that there's been an undisputed champion.

"[Joshua is] a great fighter, Olympic gold medallist, two-time heavyweight champion just like me, he's won all the best, he's a great, great athlete. Of course [I have respect for Joshua]."

Fury also addressed his wish to be removed from the six-person shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 32-year-old instructed his lawyers to write to the broadcaster demanding his name be taken off a list that includes Lewis Hamilton, Hollie Doyle, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stuart Broad and Jordan Henderson.

"I've asked to be taken off a list," Fury told the Jonathan Ross show, to be broadcast on Saturday night on ITV. "They've not listened. I've even sent them a legal letter to be taken off. They're still not listening.

"They're trying to take away my rights as a person. My name shouldn't be on there if I don't want it on there. It's a free country. They are doing something that I do not wish to participate in.

"The reason is, I don't want an award from someone to say I'm a sports personality. I know what I am and who I am and I know what I've achieved, I know what I've come back from.

"I don't need a glass trophy. I'm the people's champion. I don't need this glamorous trophy to say who I am and what I've done."

This weekend get a £10 free bet with Betfair, when you bet £10 on a Same Game Multi on the Premier League. Terms: Min £10 Same Game Multi bet on any EPL match this Fri - Sun. Free bet valid for 72 hours, awarded at bet settlement. Excludes cashed out bets. T&Cs apply.

PA