Why Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua boxing fight hasn't happened yet with final deadline set

The proposed heavyweight boxing showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua seems further away than ever before after the latter was blown away by Daniel Dubois on Saturday night. With the whole world watching, Dubois came of age with a fifth-round knock-out that stunned a sell-out Wembley Stadium.

Joshua and Fury are two of the biggest names in sport - let alone boxing - and that would-be fight between them has been a long time in the making. However, both have had to overcome several obstacles in their careers, which are ultimately responsible for them not yet going head-to-head in the ring.

Of course, striking up the deal when Joshua and Fury were world champions - at various points - was problematic as is so often the case at the very top level. Oleksandr Usyk has also had a major say in recent times - after beating both men and Joshua twice - but there is still some hope it might happen despite the Dubois demolition.

ALSO READ: Everything AJ said minutes after brutal KO from Dubois

ALSO READ: Joshua vs Dubois as it happened - after brutal KO victory

Fury and Usyk are set to do battle, once again, on December 21 in Saudi Arabia. It was widely thought that victory for Fury in that rematch - coupled with AJ beating Dubois in their all-British meeting with the IBF heavyweight title on the line - would see the stars align and Fury vs Joshua finally turned from dream into reality.

Speaking before Saturday night's headline act beneath the famous arch, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn told BBC Sport: "I do think AJ vs Fury will happen regardless of whether Fury wins or not, but the size of the fight depends on their next two results."

As the Dubois win proved, there is an important catch.

"If AJ beats Dubois and Fury