Fury v Joshua closer but hurdles still to clearImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fury and Joshua haven’t shared the ring for 16 yearsByKal SajadBBC Sport boxing journalistPublished6 minutes agoThe long-awaited heavyweight fight between Britons Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has moved a step closer after they won their respective warm-up fights – but not without plenty of drama.Fury was first into the ring on Friday, stopping 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in seven rounds in Pattaya, Thailand.
The fight was a professional contest but it felt more like a public sparring session than a genuine test. Fury was rarely troubled and even found time to kiss Wach on the cheek during the contest.
It was held in front of about 1,500 fans, was not broadcast on television and instead formed part of filming for the next series of Netflix show ‘At Home with the Furys’.
Joshua’s night in Saudi Arabia was a different story.
Facing little-known Albanian Kristian Prenga, Joshua was expected to ease through his comeback. Instead, he was dropped after just 20 seconds and again in the opening round before producing a stunning turnaround to stop Prenga in the second.
With both men winning and contracts already agreed, the biggest fight in British boxing remains on course. Reports have suggested purses of around $100million (£75m) each, so there is every incentive to get the deal over the line.
But there are still a few hurdles to clear.
