Tyson Fury finally responds to reports he will face Anthony Joshua next year: ‘It’s the truth’
Once again, talk of Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua has intensified in recent months. “The Gypsy King” himself now has his say.
It’s a fight that, while still sought after, should have happened many years ago. Contracts, rematch obligations, defeats and failed public discussions along the way prevented this.
However, with both men fast approaching the end of their careers, it’s now or never. Although Fury announced his retirement in January and will not fight in 2025, he is widely expected to have changed course and return in 2026. Boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh is reportedly doing everything he can behind the scenes to make sure the “AJ” fight happens if it does.
Speaking at the Statom Group Celebrity Ball 2025, the 37-year-old spoke about the many times teams have failed to put pen to paper.
“I can stand up here today and tell you the gospel truth, hand on my heart, that me and AJ were supposed to fight, deal done, about 20 times. For whatever reason, something always happens. So I can stand here and say I’m optimistic that the fight is going to happen, but the realism is there, something always happens and [the fight with Joshua] this doesn’t happen. So maybe this is never meant to happen.
Asked by host Adam Smith if £250 million would get him over the line, Fury said the purse didn’t matter.
“That might do the trick. F–king £2.50 might do it. The numbers don’t matter, the fight was supposed to happen 20 times and it didn’t… So I’m giving up on the f–king. I’m giving up on everything. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, great.”
However, to give fans a slight boost, the heavyweight champions’ former manager Spencer Brown later expressed confidence that the match will indeed take place.
After Joshua’s fight with Jake Paul this month, he is expected to return in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Insiders suggest Fury could then return in April or May, and that victories for both men could spark a September clash.
