The Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder super fight negotiations have been perhaps the only bit of really bad news this year in boxing. In a time where big fights are getting made left, right and center and promoters are working together, the heavyweight unification continues to elude boxing fans. For now.

So much so that Tyson Fury and his promoter Frank Warren have now stepped into the fold and are on the brink of making a Wilder vs Fury fight for towards the end of the year if Fury gets past Francesco Pianeta later this month.

Some have suggested the fight might be too soon for Fury but credit where credit is due, if he steps in there with the WBC heavyweight champion on his third fight back after such a long layoff from the sport, it will be a little bit of a saving grace for the disappointment of the Joshua vs Wilder fight not happening.

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has firmly backed Wilder as the man of the two who genuinely wants the fight.

Speaking to the Mail Sport, Lewis said:

“Go order (to Anthony Joshua) Eddie Hearn to make the fight with Deontay Wilder. Now is the moment when you must take charge of your own destiny. There is no question that it is Wilder who wants the fight and Wilder who wants to prove he is the man.”

It is not clear yet if Wilder will take a fight in the meantime ahead of a potential Fury showdown but if one were a betting man, I suspect he won’t and they will likely wait until next week at the Fury fight to announce it should Fury win.

Wilder will be commentating in the UK next week for BT Sport and no doubt will jump into the ring should Fury win to announce a possible showdown for towards the end of the year.

It’s all kicking off in heavyweight boxing at the moment, it really is.

What a time to be a fight fan.