Anthony Joshua fight with Tyson Fury on December 3 takes step closer as AJ enters WBC rankings at 6 for first ever time

TYSON FURY’S fight again Anthony Joshua has edged another step closer after the Watford hero was ranked No 6 by the WBC.

The Mexican sanctioning body have always blanked AJ as he had never fought for any of their heavyweight titles and was the WBA, IBF and WBO boss twice.

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But, in order for 34-year-old Fury to make a voluntary defence of his crown on December 3 in Cardiff against his 32-year-old rival, it helps if Joshua is top-15.

Without the lofty ranking, the fight would have needed special dispensation as the WBC has a long list of contenders who have been paying sanctioning fees for eliminators and lesser belts.

But now the London 2012 golden boy is rated above the likes of considered Fury opponents like Otto Wallin (8) and Mahmoud Charr (19) little seems to stand in the way of a winter Battle of Britain between the two.

Fury’s hall-of-fame promoter Frank Warren has placed cool-headed son George in charge of negotiations with Joshua rep Eddie Hearn and AJ’s management team.

The 60-40 split, in the undefeated Gypsy King’s favour, has been accepted and we understand Fury’s broadcasters BT Sport have been convinced by the champ to consider a form of deal with Joshua’s DAZN app.

Fury and Warren did set deadlines for AJ Boxing to accept or reject the biggest fight in British boxing history last week.

But the passing of The Queen has meant that cut-off has been relaxed and talks are likely to have picked up again on Monday.

Joshua was training at his Loughborough University base on Monday.

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And Fury was working out at his gym at Morecambe’s football ground at the same time.

SunSport understands Fury will start his dedicated fight-focused training camp in three weeks – regardless of who he is facing.

It isn’t only Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk who want a piece of Fury.

Luis Ortiz called out Fury despite losing to former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr.

Ortiz also issued a challenge to Joshua.

Veteran Cuban fighter Ortiz, who lost 111-114, 112-113 and 111-114 to Ruiz Jr, said: “Hey Fury and Joshua, I hear you both are looking for opponents.

“Well I am down to fight either one of you. Let’s see what you young lads can do against me.

“Give me my respect, all heavyweights have or will get dropped at some point.

“So to say I’m old because I went down and got up, then what does that say about Fury hitting the canvas or Joshua or Whyte or Wilder? Are they old?

“I mean I did stand in front, toe-to-toe with a man who weighed in 25 more pounds than me and I mostly took the fight to him.

“And with all respect to Ruiz, I’d love a rematch with him.”