No Wilder-Joshua talks, insists Fury's promoter Warren

Tyson Fury's promoter Frank Warren insisted there is no truth in Anthony Joshua's claims he has held talks with Deontay Wilder over a heavyweight fight.

Joshua regained the WBA, IBF and WBO belts from Andy Ruiz Jr in December, while Fury is set to meet WBC champion Wilder in a rematch on February 22.

Brit Joshua has recently suggested his camp has held discussions with Wilder's management over a potential meeting this year, which would come instead of a possible third bout between the American and Fury.

Warren, though, is adamant no talks have been held.

"I spoke to [Wilder's co-manager] Shelly Finkel [on Tuesday] and he denied it," Warren told ESPN.

"There's a rematch clause in the contract and the loser has the right to invoke that not long after the fight.

"That will determine what happens, not what [promoter] Eddie Hearn or Joshua says.

"It seems every time they mention these discussions they never think about the possibility of Tyson winning the fight with Wilder."

IT’S ON!! @Tyson_Fury and @BronzeBomber will officially collide for the @WBCBoxing and Lineal Heavyweight Championships in a monster rematch on Feb 22nd in Las Vegas! @MGMGrand On sale from 6pm (UK Time) on Saturday via https://t.co/zhqKQ5g4me #WilderFury2 pic.twitter.com/pUpzKTlvtj

— Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) December 27, 2019

Joshua is reportedly set to face Kubrat Pulev, who is the IBF mandatory challenger, while a bout between the Briton and Oleksandr Usyk has been also been mooted.

But Warren is hopeful of bringing Joshua and Fury together for an-all British encounter, though he cited the "ego" of Hearn as a potential stumbling block.

"I would like to see Tyson in with Joshua straight away after February 22," Warren said.

"I don't think it's a difficult negotiation – we have just seen that with two networks in the United States agreeing to work with each other for Wilder-Fury II. The only thing that stops it is all of the ego with Eddie Hearn.

"I don't see why it should be a problem at all. It's a fight for the good of the sport that everyone wants to see. As long as Tyson wins his next fight, and Joshua wins his mandatory fight next, it can happen.

"It seems like everyone is looking for reasons why it shouldn't happen. Nearly every big fight we have got over the line.

"Fury and Joshua are at their best, nothing is stopping it from happening except Joshua's people being afraid of their cash cow being beaten."