The WBC’s ‘ultimate goal’ is for Anthony Joshua to fight the Wilder-Fury victor

Anthony Joshua next fight

THE WBC remain committed to paving the way for Anthony Joshua to fight the winner of theย Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Furyย title fight.

Former lineal champion Fury boxes WBC heavyweight titlist Wilder on December 1 in Los Angeles. After that contest the clamour to see a clash for the undisputed crown with Anthony Joshua, who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, will only grow.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told Boxing News, โ€œThe WBC convention was very clear in terms of looking for the ultimate goal [for] the winner of the fight to do the fight with Anthony Joshua. Our ruling was clear to state that if that fight is to proceed, to go in that direction then the mandatory [situation] will be solved. Thatโ€™s been clear and thatโ€™s been put on paper in black and white.โ€

โ€œBecause thatโ€™s our obligation, we have to support it. That is a fight the world wants to see.ย  However Wilder-Fury is a major fight in itself. That fight is as big as any fight. Iโ€™m very happy at the moment weโ€™re going through in the heavyweight division,โ€ he continued.

If however a fight between Joshua and the Wilder-Fury victor cannot be made, then Dominic Breazeale, a 2016 Joshua victim, is waiting in the wings to eventually challenge for the WBC heavyweight title. Sulaiman confirmed, โ€œHeโ€™s the mandatory contender, that came from a situation from [Luis] Ortiz being with the Clean Boxing programme testing positive, the fight against Wilder failed. In order to save a major event the WBC mediated to have [Bermane] Stiverne fight Wilder, Breazeale had a signed contract for a final eliminator so he fought [Eric] Molina. So thatโ€™s what it is. As I saw the records are open and clear. He has been inactive but he has been inactive due to the WBCโ€™s 2018 commitment to trying to make Wilder-Joshua. He accepted that. So we cannot go against and hurt him for being honourable. He said I understand, itโ€™s a great, big fight and they were negotiating for a long time and it didnโ€™t materialise. Breazeale is fighting in December to be active and weโ€™ll see what happens. After December 1 many doors will be opened.โ€

The WBC president hailed the vibrant state of the heavyweight division and the state of the sport at the moment, particularly in the UK. โ€œDillian Whyte-[Dereck] Chisora thatโ€™s a major fight. You have Ortiz, you have Breazeale whoโ€™s a top fighter. The two champions Wilder and Joshua,โ€ Sulaiman said.

anthony joshua

โ€œItโ€™s an era, itโ€™s booming. Boxing was born in England 300 years ago. It went on, moved to other countries, now itโ€™s a global sport for one century or more. But what weโ€™re going through this year is simply unexpected. Itโ€™s through the hard work of individuals and groups and Iโ€™m just proud and happy to see it. It was long due. The British fans deserve what theyโ€™re getting. Itโ€™s the most loyal fanbase, itโ€™s the most knowledgeable fanbase. Because you find boxing fans in many other countries that only care for the big fights and go to Las Vegas and gamble and have fun and part of that is going to a fight. Here itโ€™s different. There are real boxing fans, 24/7, 365 days a year.โ€

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