ANTHONY JOSHUA is thrilled boxing fans can finally see all the crazy s*** that comes with negotiating with Tyson Fury.
The 34-year-old WBC Gypsy King’s undisputed Wembley decider on April 29 with Oleksandr Usyk collapsed just five weeks ago.
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Team Fury accuses the 36-year-old WBA, IBF and WBO boss of demanding too large a percentage of the potential rematch.
Team Usyk insist it’s ridiculous that their man would accept the miserly side of a 70-30 split – for a four-cushion showdown on off-ground – and the same split in every rep.
AJ, 33, and Fury were days away from securing the biggest fight in British boxing history in late spring 2021 – perhaps even an undisputed two-fight spectacle – which was cut short when Deontay Wilder won his legal claim for a third Fury fight.
And last December – after Fury knocked out Wilder and beat up Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora - he offered AJ a short-term confrontationafter losing his second fight and three belts to Usyk.
For his April 1 comeback fight against Jermaine FranklinJoshua hopes fans finally understand what a nightmare it is to deal with his nemesis.
“I’ll be real,” he said from his Wimbledon base ahead of the O2 fight.
“As much as I love to entertain that gossip and Fury situation, I’ve been there twice and people don’t remember that.
“I had to fight him before I fought Usyk, the first time, and he pulled out because of his lawsuit, the arbitration, with Wilder. That was all done on the air and online.
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“Look at all the shit they’re going through right now with this Usyk thing. It’s just crazy.
“I don’t publicize, so it’s actually good that people are starting to see what’s going on in the negotiations.
“It’s good that people can really see the crap people have to deal with to fight.
“Me and Usyk have done two successful fights. It’s just crazy.”
It’s a sad state of affairs and Joshua doubts Fury will ever settle the score in the ring.
Usyk now faces the WBO’s mandatory challenger in Daniel Dubois, while Fury is likely to be out until the summer.
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Fans of the 6ft 9in showman will insist he has earned the right to take the reins and take the lion’s share of any fight, especially after iconic away wins from Wladimir Klitschko and Wilder.
But his critics will now suggest that his three-year hiatus and failed fights with AJ and Usyk make him a con artist.
AJ tries his best not to lose any sleep over it.
“Will the fight be made between me and him?” he wondered? “Don’t know.
“I can’t say I’m just going to sit and wait for this guy.
“There are other big fights I can have.
“Without Fury on my record, I won’t wake up tomorrow and regret my entire boxing career.
“If he’s ready, I’m ready, if he’s not, he’s not. Whatever.”