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Moses Itauma: Why ‘Greek god’ Anthony Joshua is ‘different’ to the

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Moses Itauma Anthony Joshua

How Moses Itauma landed Jermaine Franklin KO – and why Anthony Joshua is ‘different’

Moses Itauma says his fifth-round knockout of Jermaine Franklin was “instinctive” and he will “respect” the need for patience in his career amid questions about a fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

In his 14th fight, 21-year-old Briton Itauma ended Franklin’s record of never being stopped in 27 bout to move a step closer to a potential bout with established superstars such as unified heavyweight champion Usyk and one of the Ukrainian’s predecessors, Anthony Joshua.

How Moses Itauma landed Jermaine Franklin KO – and why Anthony Joshua is ‘different’

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“Usyk’s earned the right to do whatever he wants,” said Itauma, revealing how one of his coaches, Lee Wylie, showed him a video they had looked at from his “scouting report” on 32-year-old Franklin in his dressing room after the win.

“There’s a pecking order that I’ve got to respect. I don’t really care what these other heavyweights think or feel.

“I know what the truth is and the ability I’m capable of. Now I’ve got to go out there and show it.”

Why Moses Itauma and Anthony Joshua are ‘different’

Itauma’s trainer, Ben Davison, guided Joshua to wins over Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou and a knockout defeat at Wembley Stadium to Daniel Dubois between 2023 and 2024.

“They’re slightly different characters,” Davison told Seconds Out of the colossal punchers. “AJ’s built like a Greek god and is a great talker.

“Moses has this ‘wow’ factor of being this 21-year-old turning up and doing crazy ****. His ability – a flair-type style – with the knockout power… he’s very composed with it.”

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua CREDIT: Esther Lin / Most Valuable Promotions

Joshua has called Davison “phenomenal” but left him before his one fight since – a farcical win over rookie and YouTuber Jake Paul in Miami last December – because the 36-year-old wanted to avoid the “distractions” of London.

The fighter known as ‘AJ’ has been linked to a long-awaited scrap with Tyson Fury, who is also a former unified champion with two defeats to Usyk to his name.

Fury – arguably the only Briton who can currently match Joshua’s popularity among active fighters – will compete for the first time in 16 months when the towering Mancunian meets Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11.

Will Moses Itauma vs Oleksandr Usyk happen?

Usyk, who beat Joshua twice and has become friends and worked with him since, last fought with a knockout win over Dubois at Wembley in July 2025.

Itauma is open to fighting Usyk imminently, but Davison believes another of his fighters, Fabio Wardley, could be next in line if he successfully defends his WBO title against Dubois on May 9.

“If Fabio beats Dubois, Usyk is saying he’ll fight Fabio,” said Davison, playing down talk of the 31-year-old facing one of the finest boxers of all time.

“We’re way away from the situation occurring where it’s like ‘we must see this fight’. It’s an unnecessary conversation.”

Moses Itauma on Jermaine Franklin knockout video

American Franklin went the distance in defeats to Whyte in 2022 and Joshua the following year but had no answer for Itauma, who earned the 12th knockout of a professional career that began in January 2023.

“I was in the ring and trying to work to my coach’s tactics, from what we’d drilled on,” reflected Itauma.

“When I threw that shot, I didn’t even think about it. They’re the ones that close the show. I’ve got to say a big thank you to Ben Davison, Lee Wylie and [coach] Barry Smith. They’ve been a big part of my journey.

“I’m happy that I’m able to not only please myself and the fans, but also the team. I knew I was able to knock him out, but not with one punch.

“He’s known for being able to take power. He took Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua’s best punches.”

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Finally Eddie Hearn breaks silence on Anthony Joshua return as hid

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Eddie Hearn Anthony Joshua

Eddie Hearn finally breaks silence on Anthony Joshua return as hidden training plans emerge after crash and emotional months

Anthony Joshua is finally getting ready to step back into boxing.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed that the former world champion will return to training camp in the next couple of weeks. This update comes after months of uncertainty around Joshua’s future following a difficult period in his personal life.

Back in December, Joshua was involved in a serious car crash in Nigeria. The accident sadly took the lives of two of his close friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami. Since then, Joshua has stayed quiet about boxing. There was no clear sign of when or if he would fight again. Now, things are slowly changing, and there is finally some direction.

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Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua share update on training return and possible July comeback

Eddie Hearn recently traveled to Kyiv to watch Anthony Joshua train alongside Oleksandr Usyk. The two have faced each other before, but this time they were working together. Hearn shared his thoughts on X and gave fans a clear message about Joshua’s mindset.

He wrote, “Incredible few days in camp with Anthony Joshua and the Usyk team. Never seen AJ work so hard or as focused. The road is long but make no mistake the return will be one of the most inspirational and powerful stories in sporting history. Couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Right now, Joshua is not fully back in a full training camp. He is still recovering from minor injuries from the crash. But he has started light training, which is a good sign. Hearn explained the next steps in a recent interview with SunSport.

He said, “When he’s in camp, that’s his happy place. He hasn’t been able to get to camp because, physically, he’s not ready to go into camp. But he’s not far away. And I think in the next couple of weeks, he’ll probably return to training camp.”

Hearn also made it clear that there is no opponent or exact date yet. The focus is only on getting Joshua comfortable again inside a proper camp.

He added, “Not with a date in mind, not with an opponent in mind. Just to get back into that atmosphere. Once he’s done a few weeks there, I’ll fly out to see him and we’ll start to look at a potential return. Which I expect to happen around July.” For now, everything depends on how Joshua feels physically and mentally in the coming weeks.

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Why Anthony Joshua’s unexpected friendship with Usyk is exactly

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Anthony Joshua Oleksandr Usyk

Anthony Joshua’s unexpected friendship with Usyk is exactly what boxing needs

With Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua has found solace in the unlikeliest place

As Usyk shows ‘AJ’ around Kyiv, three months after the deaths of two of Joshua’s close friends, their bond is a refreshing union in a time of division

Anthony Joshua and former opponent Oleksandr Usyk in Ukraine

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As Anthony Joshua’s heavy feet stamped over the metronomic ‘vvvrrrrp’ of the running machine’s belt, there stood one of his greatest rivals, inches away, staring him down.

“You like coconut?” Oleksandr Usyk asked the British heavyweight, a look of anticipation in the Ukrainian’s eyes. Then came the slightest nod from Joshua, the movement almost indistinguishable from the rhythm of his running. “Yeeeeessss, you like!” was Usyk’s gleeful response.

“We’re now not here,” said Usyk, dressed in a yellow top and shorts and a blue bandana, the colours of his beloved country. “We’re on Miami Beach. We drink cold coconut with ice. And music!” Dancing and a kind of muted beatboxing ensued from Usyk, the next stage of his encouragement.

He and Joshua were, of course, not on Miami Beach drinking any sort of coconut-flavoured beverage; they were in a gym in Kyiv, Ukraine, as opponents-turned-friends. More than that, Usyk has since said: they are now brothers.

Their unexpected bond has been a refreshing union in a time of division, both in the boxing world and the wider one. Promotions, governing bodies and lawyers have begun to clash as frequently in boxing as the fighters themselves, amid a sporting civil war, while a real-world war has erupted in recent weeks, as you might have noticed.

Usyk knows a thing or two about war, certainly more than he would wish to. The former two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, and two-time conqueror of Joshua, continues to support his compatriots as best as he can, four years into Ukraine’s renewed conflict with Russia. In fact, the 39-year-old’s second duel with “AJ” took place just six months after Russia’s invasion of Usyk’s nation, with the southpaw overcome by emotion after beating the Briton for the second time in a year.

Joshua was infamously overcome by emotion, too. In a (possibly concussion-induced) rage, he dumped Usyk’s unified heavyweight titles over the ropes of the Riyadh ring, before storming out of it. Joshua, now 36, returned and did his best to recover some grace, having failed to recover his old belts during the bout itself. In his defence, he has been a most-gracious ambassador of himself and his sport for the vast majority of his career.

In any case, he and Usyk have come a long way since that encounter in August 2022. Now, the unbeaten Usyk is showing Joshua around Kyiv.

“I wanted to show Anthony my national food, my culture, Ukrainian music, everything,” Usyk told the Daily Mail this week. “I want him to feel my energy and understand the places that are important to me. Maidan [the main city square], for example, is now like a memorial. It’s not only about Ukrainians, it’s about all the people who help and protect Ukraine – people from the UK, Europe, the USA, Australia, the whole world.

“When we talk, I tell Anthony about the young guys, people born in the 2000s, who are going through all of this. You hear about the night bombing, the events happening here, and you realise how serious it is. He says: ‘Oh, my God, it’s a big problem.’ And I say: ‘Yeah, brother, it’s a big problem.’”

“Brother” may just be the key word. “I really appreciate that he’s here,” Usyk continues. “To me, he’s like a big brother. He’s not my rival, not my opponent; he’s my partner, my brother.”

It feels especially poignant given the timing, just three months after Joshua survived a fatal car crash in Nigeria, in which two of his friends lost their lives. As well as being friends, Joshua’s teammates Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele were his “brothers”.

In fact, the initial shock of seeing Joshua in Kyiv with Usyk came not just from the surreality of the situation, but the notion that AJ’s presence in such a dangerous place might not have been wise – especially in the aftermath of December’s accident. Yet Joshua seems to have found a kind of solace there with Usyk. That is important.

One particularly moving moment for Joshua and Usyk was an encounter with a Ukrainian soldier, cursed to wear as haunted an expression as one could imagine, who handed the Briton a patch displaying a territory that he had seemingly been defending.

Right now, wars are being waged inside and outside boxing. Those outside obviously grant a crucial perspective on the irrelevance of those inside. Still, amid all this, AJ has been fighting his own personal battle – and in Usyk, he has found an unlikely, welcome comrade.

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Why Oleksandr Usyk Backs Anthony Joshua For Undisputed Ret

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Oleksandr Usyk Anthony Joshua

Usyk Backs Joshua For Undisputed Return Despite Current Position

Oleksandr Usyk is backing Anthony Joshua to become undisputed again, a projection that does not match where Joshua currently sits in the heavyweight order.

The former unified champion does not hold a belt and is outside the immediate title picture, yet Usyk placed him at the front of a future run.

“Maybe in 2026 or 2027, Anthony can become the undisputed champion,” Usyk said in a recent interview via CDaly15, discussing a timeline that would require Joshua to move past several active contenders and titleholders already in position.

With Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua has found solace in the unlikeliest place | The Independent

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For Joshua to become an undisputed champion, it would require that he defeat the winner of the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois fight to capture the WBO belt, then go after the other three belts once Usyk relinquishes them. There’s an excllent change that Joshua would need to fight the likes of Moses Itauma for one of those belts. That would be a tough fight for him to take, given his age and history of having issues with punchers.

Joshua’s recent stretch has included defeats to Usyk and Dubois and a rebuild phase rather than title activity, leaving him without a direct route to any of the major belts. The current championship picture is already occupied, and the next fights around those titles are being discussed without Joshua. Usyk’s comment places him back into that conversation without any confirmed route.

Usyk still calls Joshua a champion because of his mindset and toughness, not his belts. He says that while also predicting Joshua will hold all the titles again, even though he is still working his way back into the top of the division.

Nothing is set up yet to get Joshua into a mandatory spot or a title fight. The timeline Usyk mentioned would need a lot to happen first, like other fighters winning belts and eliminators that haven’t even taken place.

Usyk’s comments keep Joshua linked to the top names, even as the title picture moves without him. The route back exists, but nothing is in place yet.

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‘I’ll Give Him Space’: Tyson Fury Comments on Anthony Joshua – ‘it

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Tyson Fury Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury Comments on Anthony Joshua: ‘I’ll Give Him Space; it’s Still Boxing’s Biggest Fight’

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua continue to dance around a fight with one another.

For Fury, it remains the “biggest” bout that boxing can book, who talked to Sky Sports at a time in which Joshua is firmly in a training camp, returning to the gym to seemingly get fighting fit, for the first time since he was a passenger in a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends — Sina Ghami (a conditioning coach) and Kevin ‘Latz’ Ayodele (personal trainer). They both died in a fatal car crash in Nigeria late December, in an accident that left AJ with minor injuries.

Tyson Fury Comments on Anthony Joshua: ‘I’ll Give Him Space; it’s Still Boxing’s Biggest Fight’

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Joshua had just broken Jake Paul’s face in a Netflix exhibition, and had been linked with a second successive crossover fight, this one against Rico Verhoeven in February. The kickboxing icon instead boxes Oleksandr Usyk at the Pyramids of Giza.

Fury, meanwhile, returns to the ring April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov and, ahead of the stadium event on Netflix, talked-up a possible future fight against Joshua — one of the most eagerly-awaited spectacles of modern sport.

“Good to see the guy back in training camp,” Fury told Sky Sports of his rival’s return to the gym. “He’s obviously had a bit of a tough time lately and all that. So I’ll just give him space and whatever he wants to do, he can do.”

“The biggest fight in the world of boxing is me versus AJ.”

“Even today, even after all these years it’s still the biggest fight in boxing, it’s still the biggest fight,” he finished.

Fury’s comments follow a social post from Joshua himself, seemingly indicating his future remains firmly in the sport.

“Fighting through the pain is the best way to heal,” he said in a caption that accompanied a video clip of him pounding a heavy bag.

Joshua’s career-long promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, recently indicated that the fighter could likely box again in July albeit against a to-be-determined opponent.

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‘I’ll knock him out like Joshua did!’: Here’s Why Jake Paul targets Fr

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Francis Ngannou Anthony Joshua

Jake Paul targets Francis Ngannou next: ‘I think he is a terrible boxer. I’ll knock him out like Anthony Joshua did’

Jake Paul is looking to return to action, targeting a bout with Francis Ngannou next.

Paul, the YouTube influencer turned professional prizefighter, shocked the boxing world not only when he took a fight with former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in December but lasted into the sixth round.

Ngannou is an elite heavyweight mixed martial artist. The former UFC heavyweight champion has also boxed. He pressed Tyson Fury over the course of their 10 round contest and was knocked out in two by Joshua.

READ: How Oleksandr Usyk has earned his crazy pyramids scheme – it’s

“I wouldn’t say there’s a long list of opponents [for his next fight]. I think most recently Francis Ngannou was talking a lot of smack. He is an easy fight for me,” Paul told Sky Sports News.

Jake Paul provoked a heated response from Francis Ngannou when they traded words at the Rousey vs Carano press conference. Credit: Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix

Paul is not a natural heavyweight, the bulk of his professional career has been conducted at cruiserweight. But he is undaunted about taking on another big man. “I think he is a terrible boxer,” Paul said of Ngannou.

“I’ll go back up to heavyweight and knock him out like Joshua did, render him unconscious. He knows I lasted longer than him against Joshua. I didn’t get put out.”

He wondered though if Ngannou, despite being a seasoned martial artist, would be hesitant to meet him in a boxing bout.

“He maybe wouldn’t do the fight because I think deep down he wouldn’t want to get embarrassed,” Paul suggested.

“So to me that’s a fun one on the list.”

He has had to recover from the broken jaw sustained in the stoppage loss to Joshua but Paul will resume his boxing career.

“We will see how the jaw continues to heal up,” he said. “I’m definitely going to keep on fighting.”

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Why Anthony Joshua is unlikely to rematch opponent he brutally K

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua unlikely to rematch opponent he brutally KO’d as comeback looms

Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith has played down rumours of Anthony Joshua rematching Dillian Whyte on his return.

Joshua returned to Oleksandr Usyk’s training camp this week, three months after a tragic motor accident in Nigeria left him hospitalised and killed his two best friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Anthony Joshua punches Dillian Whyte in 2015

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‘AJ’ had knocked out Jake Paul in Miami just 10 days before the accident, which left his boxing future in doubt.

The 36-year-old was supposed to use the Paul fight to brush off some cobwebs and gain exposure in the American market before making a full comeback this spring.

Joshua has since made a full return to training and Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn said he will likely return at the end of the summer, if the Briton is not ready sooner.

This has prompted members of the boxing fraternity to debate over who ‘AJ’ could potentially face on his comeback.

Dillian Whyte, who Joshua left unconscious at the O2 Arena in 2015, is one name that has been mentioned frequently.

Smith provides update on Joshua’s future

Speaking to BoxingScene, Smith revealed that although ‘anything can happen’ in modern boxing’s current landscape, Whyte is unlikely to be the man who welcomes Joshua back to the ring.

“Not really. I don’t believe [that Whyte could be next],” Smith said.

“Anything can happen in boxing, but I don’t believe so… the key is getting [Joshua] into a position to actually know when he’s ready, rather than picking a date before we know that.

“That’s the focus right now… it would be great to get him back out in the summer, but he’s back in full training now, so that’ll be how he gets himself back in there.

“He’s obviously been ticking over, but it’s very different to what he’s been doing.

US boxer and influencer Jake Paul (L) and British boxer Anthony Joshua fight in a non-title heavyweight bout at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on December 19, 2025

“He’s got to be right, he’s got to be prepared and ready, so hopefully we get some news soon on that.”

Joshua viciously stopped Whyte before going on to claim the world IBF title by doing the same to Charles Martin.

‘AJ’ was scheduled to rematch Whyte in August 2023, but the latter was replaced by Robert Helenius on short notice after he returned adverse analytical findings from an anti-doping test.

Joshua finished Helenius in round seven and went on to claim wins against Otto Wallin and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He then shockingly came up short against Dubois before making his latest return against Paul.

talkSPORT’s Gareth A Davies and Ade Oladipo both believe Whyte is a suitable comeback opponent for Joshua.

Anthony Joshua at the press conference for his fight with Jake Paul.

“I like the sound of Dillian Whyte,” Davies said on talkSPORT Boxing.

“It’s something that works. It gets [Joshua] back into the rhythm.”

Davies also revealed Joshua was scheduled to meet kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven this month before a deal with Paul was made.

Verhoeven is now scheduled to fight Usyk for the WBC strap on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

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Watch Why Tyson Fury Would Choose Joshua Fight Over World Titl

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Tyson Fury Anthony Joshua

Why Tyson Fury Would Choose Joshua Fight Over World Title

Tyson Fury is placing the Anthony Joshua fight above belts at this stage of his career, making it clear that a showdown with his long-time rival holds more appeal than adding to his title count.

Fury returns on April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov, but he is already looking beyond that fight and toward Joshua as his preferred next opponent.

While other routes remain open, including a title fight against the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois or a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk, Fury’s comments point in one direction. He is chasing Joshua, not another belt.

“Of course, if it’s a fight to be made, let’s get it done. Let me get Makhmudov out of the way, and we’re on,” Fury said to Sky Sports Boxing.

The shift becomes clearer when he weighs that option against title opportunities. Fury has already held every major belt during his career, and the motivation to repeat that run appears lower than the chance to settle the Joshua rivalry.

“But being a five-time world champion. I’d take the chance to knock AJ out,” Tyson said. That comment goes against the usual priorities in boxing, where fighters typically build toward titles as the central goal. Fury is describing something different.

For Fury, the Joshua fight comes first. He also suggested that the fight still carries the biggest draw in the sport, despite years of delays and missed opportunities to make it earlier.

“The biggest fight for me in world boxing and the biggest fight in the world of boxing is me versus AJ,” Fury said. “Even today, even after all these years, it’s still the biggest fight in boxing.”

Anthony has recently returned to training after a difficult period outside the ring, and Fury acknowledged that while giving him space.

At the same time, he showed little concern about Joshua working with Oleksandr Usyk, dismissing any benefit that might bring ahead of a potential fight.

For Tyson, 37, the path is simple. Handle Makhmudov, then move straight into the fight that has defined the heavyweight division without ever being made. At this point, he sounds less interested in adding another title than in finally getting Joshua in the ring.

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Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Rivalry Explained: Why Were the D

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Tyson Fury Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Rivalry Explained: Why Were the Duo Never Able to Square Up in the Ring?

While Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will both battle different opponents in Riyadh, fans are disappointed yet again. Talks about fights between the two titans have been brewing for years now.

However, the duo never met in the ring owing to various factors, including disagreements over terms, mandatory challengers, and contractual obligations with different boxing organizations.

Born out of a shared ambition for unification, their rivalry has blossomed into one of the most compelling storylines in modern sports history. They both hold important heavyweight titles and are competing to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. In addition, their rivalry is fueled by national pride, with Joshua representing England and Fury representing Northern Ireland. Let us take a detailed look at what stopped the two rivals from battling it out in the ring.

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Why did the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury fight never materialize?

In 2022, during the intense negotiations between Fury and Joshua for the much-anticipated Battle of Britain heavyweight world title fight, drama unfolded with Fury setting multiple deadlines. Though Joshua initially agreed to a December showdown in Cardiff, he missed Fury’s crucial deadline. This prompted Fury to call off the fight.

After broadcasters BT, DAZN, and ESPN finalized their plans, Fury, however, extended the deadline by two weeks but to no effect. Come 2023, Fury’s relentless determination was evident as he proposed the fight via social media, despite setbacks with Oleksandr Usyk‘s unavailability.

Fury adapted to his plans, offering Joshua a fight in September after Usyk’s discussions stalled. Joshua, however, planned a low-key August return, followed by a high-stakes bout with Deontay Wilder in December.

This led to Fury exploring alternative matchups and expressing interest in facing fighters like Jon Jones due to the money factor. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, who highlighted funds for an all-British Joshua-Fury fight, was not happy with the decision. The boxing world now eagerly anticipates the resolution of this gripping saga.

Why have fans desperately waited for a showdown between the two?

The highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight generated significant excitement due to several key factors. Firstly, it promised the rare unification of heavyweight titles, determining an undisputed champion, a rarity in boxing. Secondly, the clash of Fury’s elusive style with Joshua’s powerful technique created anticipation for the unpredictable match dynamics. Both fighters had a massive global fanbase, enhancing the fight’s international appeal. Their charismatic personalities, verbal sparring, and trash talk intensified the drama.

Additionally, the historical significance of an undisputed heavyweight championship bout elevated the event. A victory for either Fury or Joshua would solidify their legacy as heavyweight greats. These elements made the bout one of the most eagerly anticipated in recent boxing history, captivating audiences worldwide.

Heavyweight champions Fury and Usyk are now slated to battle it out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The parallel negotiations involving Joshua and Wilder heighten the anticipation surrounding this bout. This is most likely the closest we come to seeing the two fighters fighting on the same day, in the ring.

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‘Behind-The-Scenes’: Everything we Know About Anthony Joshua & Tyson Fury’s Agreement

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Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury

British boxing reporter, Gareth A. Davies, clarified to Boxing Social the details regarding an apparent agreement heavyweight superstars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua made “behind-the-scenes” regarding a mega fight for later this year.

Fury and Joshua have been linked with one another since before they even turned professional, as word spread throughout boxing‘s industry in Britain that the country and two giant fighters capable of taking the combat world by storm.

While half that proved prescient, with both fighters winning various portions of the heavyweight championships, commanding A-side attention in some of the most meaningful match-ups in the modern era, they have yet to deliver the one fight fans wanted to see them in most — one against each other.

Everything we Know About Anthony Joshua & Tyson Fury’s ‘Behind-The-Scenes’ Agreement

READ: Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Eddie Hearn responds to report tha

This year, though, may be different.

“I said it was ‘Signed’,” Davies told us, “and then I quickly resolved that into agreed behind the scenes which everyone knows they’ve agreed to fight this year.

“It’s an open secret in boxing that those two guys want to fight each other.”

“I clarified the word signed within a minute but people have taken it to mean, I know something they didn’t know. And then it’s a new story.”

He continued: “Stories I’ve written recently … because on The Telegraph, about Frank Warren and Sela, the headline was very strong — Dana White trying to put British promoters into extinction, which, if you read the piece it doesn’t actually say that, it’s challenging their standing in boxing and he’s doing it openly in boxing.

“I think people jump on things very quickly and it spreads like wildfire.”

Boxing Social asked Davies about his relationship with Fury, and being with him in Thailand during his training camp for his upcoming fight April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov on Netflix.

“I’ve known [Fury] nearly 20 years … he’s a fascinating character, there’s a relationship there, of sorts, which is a long-standing thing,” he said. “Outside the interview, he seemed on amazing form. It was great to talk about him to his team, and find out he’s sleeping on a boat in the harbor. He’s in the best place mentally I’ve seen him for a very long time.

“He’s admitting he’s getting old in boxing terms … an obsession and an addiction, probably only three fights left — maximum. And against Makhmudov he has to prove he still has it in his legs [against someone] who still does present problems if he’s not on top of his game.”

Davies finished: “If Tyson is anything like as good as he was against [Oleksandr] Usyk I think he should dismantle and stop Makhmudov, or outbox him.”

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