Tyson Fury rematch against Deontay Wilder ordered by WBC in blow to Anthony Joshua

TYSON FURY’S eagerly-awaited rematch with Deontay Wilder is edging closer after the WBC officially ordered the bout to take place.

The Gypsy King was robbed of one of the greatest comebacks in boxing history when judges controversially scored the pair’s first bout as a draw.

The news will come as a huge blow for Anthony Joshua, with the current WBA, WBO and IBF champion hoping to secure a blockbuster fight against either man in his next outing at Wembley on April 13.

A said: “Consistent with the WBC Board of governors voting regarding the direct rematch between WBC champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, the WBC is hereby notifying both camps that the free negotiation period is opened and if there is no agreement between the parties a purse bid will be conducted by the WBC on Tuesday February 5th.

“The WBC has modified the 70-30 split and has confirmed a 60-40 split in favour of the champion Wilder considering the market value of Fury.”

Fury – who was knocked down twice by the Bronze Bomber in Los Angeles – called for the rematch to take place in the UK, but claimed he would happy to travel yet again.

Speaking recently, he said: “Listen, I want the rematch with Wilder, if it happens or not it’s down to them.

“If they want it or not, if they don’t no problem to me. They’re the ones who have got to redeem themselves, not me.

“I done everything I should have done. I don’t need to redeem myself. I don’t need a second chance at glory.

“I’m the lineal heavyweight champ of the world, I don’t need a belt, an alphabetical title, there’s so many of them.”

There had been talk that Eddie Hearn had offered the 30-year-old a 60/40 spilt to face AJ, with Fury to pocket an estimated £20m.

But the unbeaten boxer’s promoter Frank Warren has denied the reports, and has stated Joshua and his team have made zero contact.