Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are generally considered as the two best British heavyweight fighters of their generation, with fans across the world continuing to herald them - though there will be a feeling of 'what if' should they fail to meet in the future.
Fury, 34, and Joshua, 33, both hit their primes in and around the 2015 mark, with Fury especially ramping up the pressure in 2018 on his return to boxing which saw him go head-to-head with Deontay Wilder in a successful trilogy.
The pair both have incredible records in their professional boxing careers, with Joshua's 24-0-3 record alongside Fury's 33-1-0 marking them as two of the most feared around in the game. Yet despite their greatness, a lingering doubt will be held over their careers should they fail to battle it out to become the 'best in Britain' - and that eventuality doesn't look any closer yet.
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So why have they not battled against one another in a bid to claim such an elusive crown? MEN Sport takes a look at any factors which may plunge that into doubt.
Fury's hiatus
A main factor is, of course, Fury's two-and-a-half-year hiatus from the game in between November 2015 and June 2018 due to mental health issues. As Joshua was coming into his prime around this time, the sensical option would've been to pair the two together - especially with Joshua having not lost at that point in his career.
Unfortunate circumstances on Fury's behalf meant that the much-liked 'Gypsy King' did not get back into action until midway through 2018, and from then on Fury's trilogy with Wilder dominated centre-stage. Of course, there have been bigger chances to organise a bout since then, but a golden opportunity missed, perhaps.
War of words
A two-fight deal was agreed in March of 2021, with a fight secured for August; however, Wilder was contracted to a third fight with Fury, which he duly accepted, leaving Joshua to scorn Fury for his actions.
"The world now sees you for the fraud you are. You’ve let boxing down!" he tweeted. "You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout, not a fight. Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly."
And Fury has since responded, giving Joshua an ultimatum amongst a whole host of taunts.
"Anthony Joshua, I know you've just lost a fight to (Oleksandr) Usyk and you're bout-less at the moment, and 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."
With relations never being good - and assumedly being at an all-time low - this feud may have to enhance relations before a deal is agreed.
Financial issues
Fury has long since complained about Joshua not having the guts to enter the ring with him, though another factor he remains concerned about is Joshua's 'desire' for money financial security heading in.
The Wythenshaw-born star has been noted for bringing in huge paychecks across all of his fights since his return in 2018, as fans across the world yearn to see the unbeatable star emblazoned across their televisions; though in an interview earlier in 2022, Fury scorned his fellow countryman for his financial gain and strategies.
He said: "It's all about money, Mr Businessman [Joshua] - he's not a fighting man," Fury said despite VIP packages for the Manchester leg were priced between £110.95 and £318.45. I swear to God I hope he wins the fight against Usyk so that I can come out of retirement and fight him for free.
"However, the terms are this - I want it at Wembley Stadium, I want it free to enter and I want it on free-to-air in television in this country. I'll fight him in England, not abroad in a foreign country for more money, here for free for the people."
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world had broken out by the time the pair had gotten back to full speed; thus any financial remunerations on offer were somewhat subdued.
Results going the wrong way
Joshua vs Usyk, September 25, 2021. A fight that was supposed to give Joshua the chance to beat the Ukrainian, and thus earn the chance to battle Fury once and for all.
Of course, he was outclassed by the Ukrainian in north London, and even that bout was rewarded with a rematch - which Joshua lost again in Saudi Arabia.
This was all after Fury had run Wilder ragged with a schooling in Nevada just two weeks before the initial fight. Talk about a gulf in class.
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