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WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has told Anthony Joshua to “take it or leave it” after offering him 40 percent of the purse ahead of their potential blockbuster bout.
Fury claimed he was retiring after beating Dillian Whyte in April but appears set to perform the latest of several U-turns over his future in boxing.
The Gypsy King is now searching for a high-profile opponent after rival champion Oleksandr Usyk, who beat Joshua last month, said he does not intend to fight again until 2023.
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In a bid to tempt Joshua to get in the ring with him, Fury shared a video on his Instagram story which he believes leaves his prospective opponent without “any excuses”.
“I’m being bombarded with messages on how much am I going to pay AJ,” Fury said.
“Everyone is saying 80-20, 70-30, 75-25, the actual answer is I’ve offered him 60-40. 40 per cent of this amazing fight because I want this fight to happen.
“He doesn’t have any excuses not now to take it. He can’t say I’ve low-balled him and offered him 20 or 30 per cent.
“I’ve offered (his) people 40 per cent, take it or leave it.”
Fury appears hell-bent on making this fight happen, having shared a series of posts on his Instagram story since calling Joshua out earlier this week.
The 34-year-old took to social media on Monday to set up the “battle of Britain”, which is already one of the most highly anticipated heavyweight fights in recent history.
“You’ve all heard that I’m going to be fighting within the next few months, and before I announce an opponent I need to do this just in case,” Fury said earlier this week.
“Anthony Joshua, I know you’ve just lost a fight to Usyk, and I know you’re belt-less at the moment, and I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight me for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world and the lineal championship in the next few months.
“You’re coming off a 12-round fight so you’re match fit, you’re ready, I’m giving you a few months’ notice.
“If you’re interested I’ll send you the date over and we can rumble — a battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world. Let me know if you’re interested. If not, I will select another opponent.”
After losing to Usyk in England last year, Joshua suffered a second straight defeat in Saudi Arabia last month.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn had expressed scepticism about Fury’s initial offer on Monday, but said he was willing to discuss it with his counterpart Frank Warren.
Hearn previously said he was considering options for a return for Joshua early next year, a decision which could change if Fury is true to his word.
“Fury’s outstanding at getting the public to believe absolute nonsense,” Heard said on talkSPORT.
“It worries me actually what people do believe, if you look at the timeline over the last two or three weeks, it’s unbelievably bizarre.
“Personally, I don’t believe Fury is serious about this, but if he is, which I said to the Warrens last night, 100 per cent we will sit down and make the fight.
“I would love to get really excited about this, because it’s the fight that I Get stopped in the street for more than any fight that could be made and it’s a fight that AJ has wanted for a long time”.
Joshua has replied to Fury on social media, and suggested that he would be open to a fight in December.
Meanwhile, WBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight world champion Usyk has revealed his desire to unify the belts against Fury next year.
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