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    Fury offers Joshua 40pc of purse to set up fight

    LONDON (AFP) – Tyson Fury is willing to offer Anthony Joshua 40 per cent of the purse to convince his British rival to fight him for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title this year.

    Fury claimed he was retiring after beating Dillian Whyte in April but appears set to perform the latest of several U-turns over his future in boxing.

    The 34-year-old WBC belt holder is now searching for a high-profile opponent after rival champion Oleksandr Usyk said he does not intend to fight again until 2023.

    In a bid to tempt Joshua to get in the ring with him, Fury posted a social media video on Tuesday in which he said he had left the 32-year-old with “no excuses” not to accept the bout.

    “I’m being bombarded with messages on how much I’m going to pay AJ – everyone is saying 80-20, 70-30, 75-25,” Fury said.

    Anthony Joshua fights Oleksandr Usyk during their heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia last month. PHOTO: AP

    “The actual answer is I’ve offered him 60-40 – 40 per cent of this amazing fight because I want this fight to happen.

    “He doesn’t have any excuses now not to take it. He can’t say I’ve low-balled him and offered him 20 or 30 per cent. I’ve offered (his) people 40 per cent – take it or leave it.”

    Joshua suffered a second straight defeat to Usyk in Saudi Arabia last month. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn had expressed scepticism about Fury’s initial offer on Monday, but said he was willing to discuss it with his counterpart Frank Warren.

    Hearn previously said he was considering options for a return for Joshua early next year, a decision which could change if Fury is true to his word.

    “Fury’s outstanding at getting the public to believe absolute nonsense,” Hearn said on talkSPORT.

    “Personally, I don’t believe Fury is serious about this, but if he is, which I said to the Warrens last night, 100 per cent we will sit down and make the fight.”

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