AJ Refuses to Commit to Fury Showdown After Being Called Out

Anthony Joshua has stated that he will likely face Tyson Fury in his next bout, but he is unwilling to commit to the fight immediately after Fury's call-out following his victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov. Joshua, who was in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, refused to accept Fury's demands for an immediate British heavyweight showdown. Fury, who has been guided by Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, urged Joshua to step into the ring and accept the challenge. However, Joshua remained unimpressed and stated that he would not be told what to do, claiming that he is the one in control. Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, also declined to engage in negotiations in the ring, instead preferring to discuss the fight through official contract negotiations. Joshua clarified his stance in an interview, explaining that he wants to agree to the fight through proper channels rather than in the heat of the moment. The highly anticipated bout between Joshua and Fury, two of the greatest heavyweights of their generation, has been in the works for years but has yet to come to fruition. Joshua emphasized that he is not interested in seeking fame or hype and will only commit to the fight once the terms and conditions have been agreed upon. The fight is expected to be one of the biggest in British boxing history, but Joshua remains focused on his personal life and priorities, including dealing with the aftermath of a serious car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of his friends. Joshua stated that he will only be ready to fight when he is 100% focused and that the ball is in Fury's court to make the bout happen.