Promoter Don King has been waiting for fellow promoter Eddie Hearn to return the calls he has made to him to offer interim WBA heavyweight champion Trevor Bryan as Anthony Joshua’s next opponent.

“All I am hearing is a bunch of lies out there,” said King. 

“They are saying I asked for $15 million for Bryan to fight Joshua.  I haven’t asked for a dime.  I haven’t talked to Eddie, but I’ve left multiple messages and he certainly has my number.  I’m ready to talk to Hearn or Joshua and Bryan is ready to step in and make the fight.

“Based upon my wonderful relationship with Eddie Hearn’s father Barry, I would be happy to help promote this great boxing extravaganza between Anthony Joshua and Trevor Bryan.  This would give boxing fans around the world a great championship fight which they richly deserve.”

IN OTHER NEWS: MTK Global is elated to announce the signing of elite Kazakh talent Zhankosh Turarov (22-0, 15 KOs) as he prepares for an assault on world titles.

The fearsome puncher – nicknamed ‘Da Kazakh Kid’ – joins an MTK Kazakhstan contingent that already includes Sultan Zaurbek, Nurtas Azhbenov, Viktor Kotochigov and Abilkhaiyr Shegaliyev.

Turarov, who is based in Florida and has already fought in the States, Colombia and The Dominican Republic as well as his homeland, was last in action in September 2017 when he outclassed Bruno Leonardo Romay.

Turarov said: “This is great news for me. I believe MTK Global is the best management team in world boxing and I can’t wait to get started working with them.

“I’ve heard from so many Kazakh fighters and trainers about what a bright future MTK Kazakhstan ensures for boxing in our country and I’m proud I can now play a part in that.

“While I’m grateful and enthusiastic over the chance to build boxing in Kazakhstan, I also want the world watching as I believe becoming world champion is something I’ll achieve sooner rather than later.”

MTK Kazakhstan’s Askar Salikbayev said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Zhankosh into the MTK family.

“He is one of Kazakhstan’s most talented fighters and we can’t wait to work with him to ensure he fulfils his potential.”

MTK Kazakhstan’s Ahmed A. Seddiqi added: “This is another landmark moment for MTK Global, MTK Kazakhstan and for Kazakh boxing as a whole.

“We believe Turarov is one of the most exciting fighters this country has produced and we welcome the opportunity to help him on the way to his destiny, which is becoming a world champion.”