Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury says he plans to invite United States President Donald Trump to lead his ring walk when he faces fellow Briton Anthony Joshua in Cardiff on December 11.
Fury and Joshua are set to clash at the 80,000-capacity Principality Stadium, with Fury hoping Trump will join him for the high-profile bout.
The British boxer met Trump at the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House in June and later showed his support for the US president by wearing a cap carrying the message, “Donald Trump for Prime Minister.”
Fury said he would extend an invitation to Trump, although he admitted that the president’s demanding schedule could make his attendance unlikely.
“I’ll definitely make that offer to my old buddy, old pal, and we’ll see if he’s available,” Fury said.
“Probably unlikely because of the situation he’s in at the moment, being the President of the United States.”
Fury also played down the importance of the Joshua fight, describing the bout as a stepping stone towards a possible third meeting with Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk.
The 38-year-old Fury has lost twice to Usyk but remains determined to secure another opportunity against him after facing Joshua.
“I don’t have any intention of retiring after Joshua. I’m using this bum as a warm-up for Usyk,” Fury said.
“This is a bum to me and I can guarantee that on the night when I knock him spark out he won’t know what time it is. And then I want the rabbit (Usyk) in New York City.”
Fury said he was confident of victory after what he described as an intensive year of preparation, including sparring sessions with several heavyweight opponents.
“This year will be the most active year for me since 2018. I’ve done 12 rounds with a 6ft 8in Arslanbek Makhmudov and I’ve done seven rounds with another 6ft 7in behemoth in Mariusz Wach,” he said.
“Let’s not pull any punches here. I’m firing on all cylinders at the moment. I feel fantastic. I’m 38 years young.”
The Joshua-Fury showdown is expected to be one of the biggest heavyweight boxing events in Britain in recent years. (AFP)
