Skirmish erupts as $200m mega bout in tatters

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have traded insults on social media after their huge $200 million unification bout on August 14 was thrown into jeopardy.

The heavily anticipated heavyweight clash was seen as the biggest bout in the division in recent history but both fighters have been left frustrated by a ruling that has thrown the big-money event into disarray.

An arbitrator in the US ruled that Fury must face former foe Deontay Wilder in a rematch by September 15. Fury argued the expiration of the rematch clause was last October leaving him open to fight Joshua.

Fury and Joshua were all but locked in to fight in Saudi Arabia on August 14. The ruling sparked rumours that Wilder would step aside for $A25m but US promoter Bob Arum and Wilder's trainer Malik Scott rejected talk of a pay out.

Arum told ESPN: "We're not paying Wilder to step aside. It's better to get rid of him and go about our business. We can make the Fury-Joshua fight for November or December."

Scott said his fighter is after retribution and has "no interest in step aside money".

The ruling sparked a war of words on social media between Fury and Joshua, who called the 32-year-old a "fraud".

https://twitter.com/anthonyjoshua/status/1395090728150257665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

"The world now sees you for the fraud you are. You've let boxing down! You lied to the fans and led them on," Joshua tweeted.

"Used my name for clout not a fight. Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly."

Fury fired back and offered to fight Joshua bare knuckle.

"Your (sic) more full of s— that Eddie, Spouting absolute s—e!" Fury responded.

"Your full team knew there was an Arbitration going on, it was out of my hands!

"But i tell you what if i'm a fraud let's fight this weekend bare knuckles till 1 man quits? let's put up 20 mill each!!!"

Joshua wrote: "If there was an arbitration going on, why announce to the world we are fighting! The fight was signed! UNDISPUTED.

"Bare knuckle? You're a good kid, don't play with me Luke! I'll slap your bald head & you'll do nothing! Waste man."

Fury responded by saying: "I'll smoke wilder first then you will get yours as well."

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