Tyson Fury has made a significant claim regarding a potential blockbuster fight with Anthony Joshua, stating he has already signed a contract for the bout while suggesting his British rival has not yet put pen to paper. The heavyweight boxer made these comments following his successful return to the ring after what he described as his fifth retirement from professional boxing.
Fury's Comeback Victory and Callout
On Saturday night, Fury emerged victorious in his comeback fight, outpointing Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The event marked Fury's return to competitive boxing after another brief hiatus from the sport. Anthony Joshua was present at the venue, seated prominently in the front row, setting the stage for what many anticipated would be a dramatic confrontation between the two British heavyweights.
Following his victory, Fury immediately called out Joshua, hoping to finally settle their long-standing rivalry in the ring. However, the expected face-off between the two fighters did not materialize as Joshua declined to enter the ring after Fury's victory. When Joshua did respond to the callout, technical difficulties with a faulty microphone made his comments difficult to hear clearly.
Contract Claims and Press Conference Details
At the post-fight press conference, Fury elaborated on his claims regarding the contract situation. "I've signed, done," Fury stated emphatically. "It doesn't really matter how many fights it is on that deal, let's just get one done."
The heavyweight champion explained that Joshua had been brought ringside specifically to facilitate finalizing the fight arrangements. "He was brought here tonight, ringside, for a reason: to get the fight done," Fury said. "I signed months ago, I don't know if he's signed, and by the looks of it, he's not gonna."
Fury expressed frustration with what he perceived as Joshua's hesitation, commenting, "He didn't want it, he was shellshocked, he didn't know what to say. If it was me, I'd have jumped in the ring, faced off, let's get it on."
Financial Details and Future Plans
When questioned about the financial aspects of the potential fight, Fury displayed apparent indifference to the purse split. "I don't know what the purse split is, I'm not interested in all that," he remarked. "If he gets £600m, good luck to him, and if I get 50p, good luck to me."
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Joshua fight, Fury revealed his ambitious plans for the coming year. "I want three fights this year, no matter who it is," he declared, indicating his determination to maintain an active schedule regardless of whether the Joshua bout materializes.
Conflicting Reports and Streaming Speculation
Adding to the confusion surrounding the potential fight, Fury's promoter Frank Warren and manager Spencer Brown both insisted that no formal talks had taken place with Wembley Stadium officials regarding hosting the event. This contradicted earlier speculation about the venue for the proposed bout.
Meanwhile, streaming platform Netflix appeared to jump the gun with their announcement, tweeting that the fight was a done deal and would stream live on their platform in autumn, with the bout taking place in the United Kingdom. This premature declaration added another layer of complexity to the ongoing negotiations and public statements.
The situation remains fluid, with Fury claiming to have signed a contract while Joshua's camp has yet to confirm their agreement. Boxing fans worldwide continue to await definitive confirmation about whether this long-anticipated British heavyweight showdown will finally come to fruition after years of speculation and false starts.
