AJ Refuses to Commit to Fury Fight After Public Call-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 public challenge. Following Fury's victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov, he called out Joshua, saying 'I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let's give the fight fans what they want - the Battle of Britain.' However, Joshua refused to accept the challenge on the spot, stating that he will not be told what to do and that Fury should come to him with his terms and conditions when he is ready. Joshua emphasized that he is the one in control, saying 'I'm the boss, you work for me.' He also clarified that he wants to agree to the fight through official contract negotiations rather than in the middle of a packed stadium. A bout between Joshua and Fury has been highly anticipated for years, but it has never come to fruition. In 2021, the two fighters agreed to fight for the undisputed heavyweight champion title, but Deontay Wilder exercised a rematch clause, leading to a third bout between him and Fury instead. Joshua expressed his frustration with the situation, saying that he has been chasing Fury for 10 years and that Fury's approach has been the obstacle to making the fight happen. Joshua also mentioned that he has been dealing with personal issues, including a serious car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of his friends, and that he needs to focus on his return to the ring. He added that he will be ready to fight when he is 100% focused, and that the ball is in Fury's court.