Warren: Joshua vs Fury set for 2025

Warren believes Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will fight twice this year, leaving Joshua waiting until 2025 as he thinks the finances involved in the undisputed title bout, a reported £100m for the victor, means the loser will trigger a rematch.

“Next March, if Tyson does what I believe he’ll do and AJ continues to win, I’m sure that’ll set up a big fight,” Warren told Sky Sports.

“It’s like going back to the late 60s, 70s, that’s what’s happening now. These guys are all fighting each other.”

Fury and Joshua could well meet twice. Eddie Hearn revealed earlier this week that they could sign a two-fight deal, with one of the bouts taking place at Wembley Stadium.

Warren believes they will have to clash at least once in the Middle East for pure financial reasons saying, “I’ve got to be honest, I think that is where it will go. Of course, I’d like them in the UK.

“I look back when I was younger – all those many, many, many years ago – I look at all those really great fighters like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, where did they put their big fight on? The Rumble in the Jungle [in what was then Zaire]. Where did George Foreman fight Frazier? In Jamaica. The Thriller in Manila. That’s what happens. Because they went where the money is.

“Those fights I mentioned took place in places you’d never dream of boxing taking place. Traditionally it would have either gone to New York, then it became Vegas with the casinos.

“They’re professional sportsmen. And boxers, unlike most sportsmen their career is very limited. One on your block and it can be all over. So you’ve got to make hay while the sun shines.’

Joshua needs to fill his time and find somebody to fight before Fury.

After beating Francis Ngannou, some possible options are Filip Hrgovic, Deontay Wilder, and Joseph Parker.