Anthony Joshua has hit back at Tyson Fury, insisting he will sign the contract for a huge all-British heavyweight title showdown.
The two camps have been in talks once again for a blockbuster contest likely to be staged in Cardiff on December 3, though Fury has become increasingly frustrated by the slow progress in getting the bout officially signed off.
The WBC champion has issued Joshua another ultimatum, insisting he will walk away from negotiations if the contract offer - featuring a 60/40 purse split in Fury’s favour - he said was presented more than one week ago is not signed on Monday, when representatives of broadcasters DAZN and BT Sport are set to meet in a bid to discuss any remaining problems.
However, Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn has since confirmed there is “no chance” of that happening, accusing Fury of ducking the fight himself by continuing to set such unnecessary and unrealistic public deadlines.
“It’s not getting signed on Monday so if he is walking away on Monday, the fight is off,” Hearn said.
Joshua himself has now weighed in on the ongoing saga, insisting that he will sign the contract once his lawyers have finished with it.
“I’ve been signing contracts for years,” he said in a video clip posted by IFL TV. “It ain’t in my hands, it is with the legal team, that’s why you hire lawyers. You know the history of boxing, make sure you get your legal terms right.
“That’s why you have got good management and good lawyers, to make sure you’ve got your business right. Of course I’m going to sign the contract, it’s just with some lawyers at the minute.”
