One of the most disappointing missed opportunities in boxing was the much-desired fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, which English fans waited years for. Despite multiple negotiations, the British heavyweight clash never materialized, and talks repeatedly broke down. Finally, it was Fury who dealt the final blow.
In January 2025, the former WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, announced his retirement from the sport, thus closing any possibility of a fight against Joshua. This came after he suffered his second career defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last December in Riyadh. Everyone expected that with Fury’s defeat, he would be on equal terms with Joshua.
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua was also succumbed three times: once against Usyk, once against Mexican Andy Ruiz and finally by Daniel Dubois last year at Wembley. So a fight between Fury and Joshua seemed possible, but Fury’s retirement announcement, which he had announced well in advance, dashed all hopes.
It is worth noting that in April 2022, Tyson Fury hung up his gloves after defeating Dillian Whyte, but the Briton returned to action last year.
Therefore, the obligatory question reached the ears of Anthony Joshua. “Tyson Fury is in the rings again, would you dare to fight him?” His answers dodged any concrete answer. The media wants to hear something definitive: Yes or No. So he closed with the following statement: “I think it’s probably best to ask Eddie Hearn (Joshua’s promoter).”
However, he hinted at a hope to see the fight between JOSHUA vs FURY: “I feel like it’s the best fight. A fight against Fury will be commercially favourable and against a great man. So I think it makes sense”.
Saudi promoters could make Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight a reality
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has revived hopes. Despite Tyson Fury’s retirement and two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Alalshikh believes that “The Gypsy King” could return if the right numbers are put on the cheques.
Tyson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren insists his fighter is “happily retired”, but Alalshikh’s influence in boxing has fueled speculation for English and boxing fans in general to expect the arrival of the “Battle of British Heavyweights”.
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