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Fury-Joshua 'World Cup Final' close to fruition, claims Brown
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Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua is "the World Cup final of boxing", believes the former's manager Spencer Brown.
The British pair appear set to finally share the ring later this year after years of back-and-forth near-misses to meet.
A bout between the two heavyweights, former world champions, has long been viewed as the division's white whale.
But Brown believes both men are close to settling terms, and predicts it will be among the sport's biggest-ever bouts.
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"It will be the World Cup final of boxing, for me anyway," he told Sky Sports News. "It would just be phenomenal.
"Let's go. Boxing at the moment is in a very special place. We've wanted it for a long time [and] it's now time.
"If [Joshua] does have a warm-up, it goes two months down the line. But we're going to see it this year, I think so."
A September date at Dublin's Croke Park has been the focal point of reported talks between both camps this week.
Any such clash would likely require Joshua passing on a tune-up bout however, having last fought in December.
The star's involvement in a fatal car crash shortly after his win over Jake Paul has kept him sidelined since then.
Richard Pelham/Getty Images
"I don't necessarily think it has to be next for 'AJ' after what he's been through and what he's seen," Brown said.
"He's got to pick the right opponent. 'AJ' either does that, or he goes [for Fury] and then we're on, we're all on."
Fury makes his own return to the ring this weekend against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Asked whether Joshua will be in attendance, Brown revealed he expects both the Briton and Oleksandr Usyk to attend.
The Ukrainian holds four victories over Fury and Joshua, but has turned teammate with the latter in recent years.
"We've invited him, he'll be there probably," Brown added. "I think 'AJ' will be there, [and] I think Usyk will be there."
World Cup comparisons apt for Fury-Joshua bout
DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel
Everybody knows you don't often get the best teams in the FIFA World Cup Final - but you tend to get a superstar or two.
Witness Qatar 2022, when Lionel Messi dragged Argentina from a poor start through to a career-defining triumph.
By those metrics, comparisons to a Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua showdown may be apt if the pair finally get their fight.
Few would say - perhaps not even the fighters themselves - that they are in their pomp and prime anymore in the ring.
But few can match their sheer level of stardust and star wattage. One thing's for certain - it will be the hottest ticket around.
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