Anthony Joshua lined up for stunning Deontay Wilder fight if Tyson Fury can’t be tempted out of retirement
ANTHONY JOSHUA is being lined up for a shock showdown with long-time rival Deontay Wilder following Tyson Fury's retirement.
A long-overdue Battle of Britain with Fury was back on the cards after Oleksandr Usyk's second straight victory over the Wythenshawe warrior last month.
But Fury appeared to kill off the domestic dust-up once and for all this week by hanging up his gloves.
And if a fight with the Gypsy King can't come to fruition, Saudi bigwig Turki Alalshikh wants to see AJ finally settle the score with long-time rival Wilder.
During an appearance on , Alalshikh said: "If you want something about the British markets, I want to see Joshua and Wilder now.
"If Tyson is not available why not Joshua and Wilder?"
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Joshua and Wilder, 35 and 39 respectively, were on course to throw down in 2018 when they held all the heavyweight marbles.
The fight, however, fell through when Wilder opted to face Fury - who he fought to a controversial draw - instead.
A two-fight series worth a whopping £100million was back on the cards for the rivals in December 2023.
But Wilder's defeat to a resurgent Joseph Parker seemingly put the final nail in the coffin of the once eagerly-anticipated grudge match.
Wilder will look to save his career with a do-or-die April showdown with journeyman Curtis Harper.
And AJ promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed 'The Bronze Bomber' could be an option for the former unified heavyweight champ should he come through Harper.
The Matchroom Boxing chief said: "Deontay Wilder is a fight, I think coming off the defeat people would still love to see.
"If Wilder comes back with a win, looks like he’s scheduled to fight again in February. Dillian Whyte, I don’t know.
"These are just names I’m plucking out, because AJ will fight.”
Hearn, however, believes Fury will come out of retirement to finally put an end to his rivalry with AJ.
He added: “We will see what happens with Tyson Fury in the meantime.
"I can’t see Mr Fury leaving this fight on the table.”