Tyson Fury has declared his intention to finally face Anthony Joshua in a blockbuster all-British heavyweight showdown by the end of 2026, urging for the long-delayed fight to happen as soon as possible to avoid further setbacks.
Fury's Comeback and Call-Out
Fury, who is set to return to the ring after a 16-month hiatus, will take on Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, marking his first fight since December 2024. The 37-year-old boxer, coming out of retirement for the fifth time, emphasized that his top priority is securing a clash with Joshua, acknowledging that previous attempts to settle their domestic rivalry have repeatedly failed due to injuries, knockouts, or other unforeseen events.
Historical Delays and Current Urgency
Reflecting on the decade-long anticipation for this fight, Fury warned that history shows they must meet soon to prevent fate from intervening once again. He stated, "This fight was supposed to happen so many times over the last 10 years, but then someone has had one more fight in between and someone has got knocked out or injured." Fury added, "I think we should get this fight on as soon as possible in case something happens in between. The problem is that in heavyweight boxing anything can go wrong, there are no easy fights."
Joshua's Recovery and Wilder Speculation
The prospect of a 2026 fight between Fury and Joshua had dimmed when Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria in December, which killed his close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. However, Joshua has since resumed training and was ringside for Deontay Wilder's split-decision win against Dereck Chisora in London on Saturday. While Wilder is now being talked up as Joshua's next opponent, Fury dismissed this, saying, "Forget Wilder, the man is a shell of himself. Forget anyone else. Let me get through Saturday and then we will do the fight before the end of the year."
Family Tensions and Focus
It remains unknown if Fury's father, John Fury, will be present at the upcoming fight, as the pair are no longer on speaking terms. John Fury recently urged his son to retire, claiming he is past his best due to his trilogy of fights against Wilder. Tyson Fury responded, "I don't care if he's there. I've got business to take care of and who's in the crowd is not an important thing to me at all." He added that he takes his father's comments with a pinch of salt, attributing them to possible emotional distress.
Fury concluded by expressing confidence that Joshua shares his desire for the fight, saying, "I want it as the fight next and I'm sure AJ feels the same. Let's do it, let's dance." He also noted that if Joshua attends Saturday's event, it would be a positive sign, but understands if he does not, emphasizing that in business, individuals act for their own interests.
