Anthony Joshua has admitted he is confused about what is at stake in his fight with Tyson Fury, insisting he only cares about beating the man in front of him. The long-awaited all-British clash takes place on December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
After the fight was officially announced, it appeared there would be little on the line other than bragging rights. However, the WBA surprised the boxing world by deciding to put its 'super' heavyweight world title up for grabs in the bout.
Confusion over the belt
Joshua's friend Oleksandr Usyk vacated his titles earlier this year, and it seemed Murat Gassiev would be recognised as champion. Instead, the Russian was downgraded to the 'regular' belt holder.
Speaking on the Mr. Verzace Podcast, Joshua explained his reaction to the WBA's decision.
"To be honest, it's a very odd situation because Usyk vacated the belt, then they said Gassiev, who at that time was like the regular champion, so to speak and I assumed he was going to be the only champion," he said.
"And then next thing I know there was an announcement that the WBA title for the Super Championship [was on the line], because I thought when they said WBA title, they were going to put the regular belt at stake, but they said, 'No, we're putting the Super belt at stake, Gassiev is still the regular champion'.
"I think [the regular belt] should have been [on the line]. I know that there's going to be a very special solid gold Ring Magazine belt that's staked in this fight to the winner, but to me, I haven't spoken to Gilberto from the WBA to understand why they made the decision for the belt to be on in this fight, because when they announced it, it got confusing and I said, 'Did Gassiev vacate the belt or what?'"
Respect for Gassiev
Joshua made clear he still regards Gassiev as champion, saying: "Well, let's say this to Murat Gassiev: we still respect you as champion. He's only done what he was supposed to do."
He added: "And for me, I'm not fighting for no championship; I'm just fighting to be better than the man across the ring from me. If I'm honest with you, I don't care about no belt; I'm just fighting to beat up the person that's in front of me, and that's it."
Dubois rematch ambition
If Joshua wins next month, he appears keen to chase more silverware. According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Joshua wants to avenge his defeat by Daniel Dubois.
"I can't speak on Tyson's behalf, but for [Joshua], he still wants to be in the biggest fights of the sport," said Hearn. "I've got to be honest with you, and I know it's a very dangerous fight, but he wants to rematch Daniel Dubois. [Joshua] is a competitor, so he's looking at that…and anyone who has ever beaten him, he's rematched, apart from Daniel Dubois.
"He wants to have another go at Daniel Dubois, and this is second nature to him. He wants to try to avenge that defeat. It's a dangerous fight, but if he goes through Tyson Fury and stops Tyson Fury, then why not? That would be for a title unification – or for a fight against [Filip] Hrgovic."
