Spencer Oliver believes the winner of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua could become a three-time heavyweight world champion.
Fury was recently beaten for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk in their sequel, while Joshua was brutally knocked out by Daniel Dubois in their respective title clashes in 2024.
The pair are now at a crossroads in their careers with the British rivals’ best available option seen as each other, by meeting in a lucrative two-fight deal.
Critics have suggested that the fight no longer means as much, given no world title will be at stake as it would have been if the pair met several years ago.
But given the commercial draw of both fighters, the winner could still find themselves re-emerging at world level.
Ex-boxer and talkSPORT pundit Oliver believes that the winner could well find themselves in a clash with IBF champion Dubois, if he retains his belt or unifies.
“Listen I think the winner of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua puts himself back in the world title mix,” Oliver said on the latest episode of talkBOXING.
“I do believe that fight happens next, and the winner of that could get an opportunity.
“Let’s say Oleksandr Usyk is now out of the picture if he sails off into the sunset or beats Daniel Dubois.
“You are asking, ‘is Daniel Dubois the next man to take the baton as the heavyweight king?’
“The winner of Joshua vs Fury will have a great shot against Daniel Dubois.
“Just because he knocked AJ out, you can’t say that will go again. And you can’t write Fury off after his losses to Usyk.
“He could still very much be the second best heavyweight in the world right now.”
Joshua and Fury would both be attempting to become a three-time heavyweight world champion if they landed a new title shot.
AJ looked set to meet Dubois in an immediate sequel but the fight was shelved, with ‘DDD’ now facing Joseph Parker on February 22.
Any revenge mission still remains a key motivation for Joshua, and Dubois has insisted he would open the door.
Fury has only lost to Usyk, and would likely be favoured if he was to rebuild and try to become a world champion again.
Promoter Frank Warren has insisted a decision has yet to be made as to whether he will return, with retirement not yet ruled out.
TALKBOXINGOliver still believes there is plenty left for the winner of a potential Joshua vs Fury fight[/caption]
He said: “I will not be picking up the phone and asking Tyson Fury to fight again.
“If opportunities come my way for him they will be passed on, but there will be no advice from me on whether or not Tyson should take them.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet about an Anthony Joshua fight and I will only do so if he comes to me and says he wants to get in the ring with him.
“My only hope is for Tyson to be happy and content with life. If he is then I’d be prouder than you can ever imagine.
“If he does decide to box again then I’ll support him 100 per cent. It’s a decision for him, his wife Paris and their family.”