Anthony Joshua declined the offer to step-aside and let Tyson Fury fight Oleksandr Usyk.
The 32-year-old is desperate to contest a rematch with the Ukrainian and win his titles back.
Joshua reportedly declined the offer of because he doesn’t trust the Gypsy King.
That’s the view of AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn with Joshua having lost his heavyweight titles to Ukrainian Usyk last September.
Joshua is now keen to contest a rematch this spring in an attempt to win them back. However, Fury was keen to have a crack at Usyk first in an epic undisputed bout with all the belts up for grabs.
The Mancunian reportedly offered Joshua a hefty sum but the Watford local turned it down as he and promoter Hearn “do not trust” him.
Along with Fury’s demand for a warm-up bout next month, further delaying AJ’s potential shot at the undisputed crown, brought any prospect of a step-aside to a halt.
Anthony Joshua is set for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Hearn, who also represents WBC mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte, said: “We don’t trust Fury to turn up to one fight, let alone agree to two, three or four.
“AJ did not want to step aside and when Fury asked for a March fight he really did not want to step aside.
“We had to trust Fury to have a fight in March, then Usyk in June, AJ in December, then Dillian.
“I had to tell AJ that and he could not trust him.”
Fury insisted the Joshua rejected his offer because he requested the fee be increased to £20m.
Fury was keen to fight Oleksandr Usyk first in a bid to become undisputed heavyweight champion
Whyte is now to face Fury for the WBC Heavyweight title in April with Joshua and Usyk’s rematch to follow.
But Hearn, who continues to be wary of Fury, added: “Just based on his track record, I won’t be surprised if Tyson pulls out.
“Tyson would not fight Usyk without a warm-up fight.
“He’s just fought Deontay Wilder, what does he need a warm-up for?”
Fury then blasted Hearn as a ‘clown’ over claims he was unsure about fighting Whyte.
He fumed on Twitter: “This man is a clown, you boys are the 1s that may not take the fight.
“Sign the contract big boy.”
Fury and Whyte must agree on a date and venue before contracts for their fight are agreed.
Wembley has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to host the bout, overtaking the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
