Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury must happen this year, says George Groves: ‘I wouldn’t bother with any other fights’

George Groves is himself no stranger to being in a domestic rivalry, as he pleads with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to clash.

The British legend once fought Carl Froch in an iconic duology which ended in back-to-back defeats for ‘Saint George’. But this is why the former super middleweight champion has urged both parties to make a deal.

Rumours have circulated of Anthony Joshua mounting a return with a two-fight deal which could see him face Jared Anderson.

And with Tyson Fury reportedly training in the gym, despite his retirement, the conversation about a potential bout has returned.

George Groves wants Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury this year

While AJ is scheduled for a comeback against a different opponent, the 37-year-old believes there is no other fight to make.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “If I was either guy, I’d just fight each other and that’s it. I wouldn’t bother with any other fights.

“I’m sure the money’s great and that but who’s going to be paying through the nose for either guy to not fight each other?

“Just save it now, fight each other with no more mileage on the clock, no more risks.”

Groves believes there is a “number” which would make it “worthwhile” for both men that they are holding out for.

Now Turki Alalsheikh is involved in the sport, money is not seen as an obstacle to super fights.

As soon as the money is agreed, the Hammersmith fighter thinks it should happen as soon as possible.

He said: “That fight will be nailed on. He’s had surgery, Joshua, and Fury’s out running. I’m pretty sure they’ll box in September, October, rematch next year.”

Other all British heavyweight contests

This contest would likely be one of the biggest British heavyweight fights of the last two decades if sealed.

Wembley would be the only location but it would bring back sore memories for the Watford boxer.

Last September he took on fellow Brit Daniel Dubois but was devastatingly knocked out in the fifth round.

Although he has successfully beaten a fellow compatriot with a seventh-round stoppage of Dillian Whyte in their London derby.

Morecambe’s own is also no stranger to a domestic dust-up.

A night in one of boxing’s greatest venues Wembley Stadium saw the then-WBC champion floor Whyte with an uppercut in the sixth round to retain his crown.

He also holds three wins over Derek Chisora with the most recent being a tenth-round stoppage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, these pale in comparison to Lennox Lewis’s seventh-round TKO of Frank Bruno at the National Stadium.

Their 1993 clash surrounded an era of a UK boom period in the sport and their bout should be a blueprint for this era’s heavyweight spectacle.

George Groves believes Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are destined to fight in October – with a rematch following next year. The Battle of Britain is yet to commence with Fury having retired in January – for the fourth time in his career.

And the unpredictable Gypsy King has so far stuck to his word – but Groves theorises that he is just waiting for the right offer to come in.

He told Sky Sports: “There must be a number that makes it worthwhile for both guys.

“Maybe they’re just waiting for that number. You don’t need to announce that fight now if it’s not happening till October.

“That fight will be nailed on. He’s had surgery, Joshua, and Fury’s out running. I’m pretty sure they’ll box in September, October, rematch next year.”

Joshua, 35, recently had surgery on his elbow and is yet to fight since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, in September.

Fury, 36, meanwhile announced his retirement one month after rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, 38.

AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed a return fight is targeted before focusing on a potential two-bout deal with Fury in 2026.

But former super-middleweight champion Groves said: “If I was either guy, I’d just fight each other and that’s it. I wouldn’t bother with any other fights.

Turki Alalshikh still wants Tyson Fury to box Anthony Joshua this year, but the Saudi adviser is trying not to push the “Gypsy King”, it seems.

In January, Fury announced he was retiring from boxing, after numerous reversed retirements in recent years. The claim came one month after his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, who outpointed the Briton in May and December.

On Saturday, Joshua sat close to Alalshikh at the latest Riyadh fight night, while Fury was nowhere to be seen. Alalshikh later stressed that he still wants to see an all-British clash between the heavyweights, and that he is in contact with Fury – but not about the fight.

“I want Tyson [next for Joshua],” Alalshikh told the The Stomping Ground. “I spoke with him, but I don’t talk about boxing. I just check about his health and his family.

“I think maybe he’ll return. Yes ,[I think he will return], I hope so.”

On Saturday, Joseph Parker knocked out Martin Bakole in two rounds, after the latter replaced IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois on two days’ notice.

Dubois, who knocked out Joshua in September to retain the belt, withdrew from his defence against Parker due to illness. Joshua said on Saturday that he wanted to step in but could not, owing to injuries.

“He’s a fighter, that’s what he’s supposed to do,” Joshua said of Bakole. “I wanted to step in, I got my injuries.

“I get Martin Bakole’s mentality. If you got the belief and that power that Bakole has, that’s all you need. He wouldn’t have taken this fight if he’s not ready. I think he believes in himself more than his fitness. I just think he believes in himself.”

Joshua already holds a win over Parker, having beaten the New Zealander on points in 2018 to win the WBO heavyweight title.

The former two-time heavyweight champion has hinted at a return to the ring despite calling it quits after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk