Anthony Joshua denies claims he will step aside to allow Fury vs Usyk fight

Joshua has angrily hit back at the reports

Anthony Joshua has angrily responded to claims he is set to accept a mouth-watering offer of £15m to step-aside and allow Tyson Fury to fight Oleksandr Usyk. Reports from The Telegraph on Monday morning had claimed the former Olympic champion had agreed to allow the 'Gypsy King' to fight the Ukrainian Usyk - with Joshua fighting the winner. But Joshua, who had initially activated a rematch clause to fight Usyk following defeat last September, has taken to Instagram to reveal his thoughts and told fans not to listen to the "bullshit" in the press. "You know what's bad about all these interviews I see?" he exclaimed. "I see certain interviews that quote what I've said, and I think to myself: 'I ain't done no interviews? Where did this person get this information from?'

"I'm hearing people saying, 'AJ accepts £15m to step aside.' I ain't signed no contract, I ain't seen no contract. So as it stands, stop listening to the bullshit until it comes from me.

"I'm the man in control of my destiny, I'm the man who handles my business. I'm a smart individual and I make calculated decisions every step of the way. Don't listen to the bullshit from other sources, if I tell you something then you know it's from me."

https://twitter.com/MichaelBensonn/status/1485632340630151171 The uncertainty surrounding Fury's next fight is ever-growing with mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte proving tough to negotiate with, due to Whyte being unhappy about the WBC-ordered 80/20 purse split. However reports from the Daily Mail have said that Whyte could be on the verge of accepting a £5m pay off, which would enable the 'Gypsy King' to step-up negotiations to convince Joshua to let him fight Usyk. If Joshua does allow that to happen, there is a possibility that the 32-year-old would be allowed to fight the winner of a contest between Fury and the Ukrainian. Related links:

• Anthony Joshua to accept huge fee to step aside for Fury vs Usyk
• Anthony Joshua spotted working with new trainer ahead of Usyk rematch
• Eddie Hearn reveals talks for Joshua to step aside and allow Usyk vs Fury fight