Tyson Fury has told Anthony Joshua he is willing to defend his heavyweight world title against his British rival in the next few months.
Fury had hoped to strike a deal with fellow world champion Oleksandr Usyk for a December showdown to crown the division's first undisputed ruler since Lennox Lewis in 1999. But the Ukrainian has insisted he will not be ready until the new year as he recovers from his rematch with Joshua.
Fury claims he will fight in the interim period, and wants that to be against Joshua. "I think you've all heard I'm going to be fighting soon, in the next few months," he said in a video posted to social media. "I think before I announce an opponent, I need to do this just in case.
"Anthony Joshua, i know you've just lost a fight to Usyk and you're boutless at the moment. 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 a date over and we can rumble. A battle of Britain for the WBC championship of the world; if you're not interested, let me know and I'll select another opponent."
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Last month, Usyk dominated Joshua for the second time in 11 months to set up a potential fight with Fury. The Brit then confirmed he was ready to come out of 'retirement' to take on his fellow champion but now insists the Ukrainian will not be his next opponent.
"All of a sudden Oleksandr Usyk has stated he does not want to fight any more - he wants to fight next year not this year," said Fury at the weekend. "I am not going to wait around for anybody and I will be announcing a fight next week."
