Turki Alalshikh Hints Joshua Could Bypass Fury – Usyk Rematch

Image: Turki Alalshikh Hints Joshua Could Bypass Fury - Usyk Rematch
Riydah, Saudi Arabia: Anthony Joshua v Francis N'Gannou, Heavyweight Contest 9 March 2024 Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing. Anthony Joshua celebrates his win with Chairman of General Authority for Entertainment Turki Alalashikh.
By Jay McIntyre - 04/16/2024 - Comments

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh posted on social media today that he and Anthony Joshua are awaiting the outcome of their May 18th undisputed heavyweight championship fight between champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Alalshikh appears to suggest that he’s going to have Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) fight the winner of the Fury-Usyk fight rather than wait until the two have fought twice before getting his turn to face the winner.

Financial Muscle & Exciting Boxing

It’ll likely cost Alalshikh money to get the loser of the Fury vs. Usyk fight on May 18th to step aside for Joshua to face the winner, but he’s got the financial means to do that.

It’s understandable why His Excellency would want Joshua to fight the winner right away. There will be more fans interested in seeing AJ get his chance than watching a rematch, which could be a boring affair.

Fury and Usyk are both finesse boxers who grind out wins. Joshua is much more exciting to watch than either guy, and it makes sense to have him face the winner of the first Fury-Usyk fight.

Joshua is arguably the most exciting fighter in the heavyweight division, and his facing the winner of the May 18th fight next would create massive interest from fans worldwide. Of course, that’s assuming Fury is victorious on May 18th.

There won’t be as much excitement for a third fight between Joshua and Usyk, considering that AJ has twice lost to to him, and there would be the potential of a third defeat if he failed to land a big shot to knock him out.

Waiting for the Outcome

“We are waiting for the result of Usyk vs Fury,” said His Excellency Turki Alalshikh on X about he and Anthony Joshua waiting for the outcome of the May 18th fight between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and IBF/WBA/WBO champ Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury would likely make a big fuss if he loses to Usyk on May 18th if he can’t get an immediate rematch to redeem himself, but if His Excellency wants Joshua to get his chance, the Gyspy King will have no other choice but to sit and wait his turn.