Fury offers Joshua chance to battle for title this year

WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has offered Anthony Joshua the chance to battle for his belt before the end of this year.

Fury, 34, is looking for an adversary after rival Oleksandr Usyk, who’s the WBO, WBA and IBF champion, indicated he will not return to the ring until 2023.

Joshua, who was beaten by the Ukrainian in Saudi Arabia last month, responded to Fury’s challenge by saying he would be “ready in December”.

Fury had in April announced his retirement.

However in a video posted on social media on Monday, Fury had said: “You’ve all heard that I’m going to be fighting within the next few months, and before I announce an opponent I need to do this just in case.

“Anthony Joshua, I know you’ve just lost a fight to Usyk, and I know you’re belt-less at the moment, and I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight me for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world and the lineal championship in the next few months.

“You’re coming off a 12-round fight so you’re match fit, you’re ready, I’m giving you a few months’ notice.

“If you’re interested I’ll send you the date over and we can rumble – a battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.”

BBC/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma