Anthony Joshua Refuses to Commit to Tyson Fury Fight

Anthony Joshua has stated that he will "probably" face Tyson Fury in his next bout, but he refused to commit to the highly anticipated British heavyweight showdown after Fury's recent call-out. Joshua was in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to watch Fury defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov, and following the fight, Fury immediately challenged him to a match. Fury declared, "Next, I want to give you the fight you've all been waiting for... I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let's give the fight fans what they want - the Battle of Britain." However, Joshua remained non-committal, stating that he has never had a problem fighting Fury and that he will face him when the time is right. Joshua emphasized that he is not interested in engaging in a war of words, instead preferring to focus on the negotiations and contract details. He clarified that he wants to agree to the fight through official channels rather than in the midst of a crowded stadium. Joshua expressed his willingness to fight Fury, saying, "In my heart, I'll fight Tyson Fury tomorrow... Contracts will be sent over. We'll go through the nitty-gritty, and you'll probably see us in the ring next, more than likely." The long-awaited bout between Joshua and Fury, two of the greatest heavyweights of their generation, has been discussed for years but has yet to come to fruition. In 2021, the British stars agreed to fight for the undisputed heavyweight champion title, but the match was derailed when Deontay Wilder exercised a rematch clause. Joshua attributed the delay to Fury's approach, stating that his rival has a history of retiring and returning to the sport. Joshua has only fought once since losing to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, and he is currently dealing with the aftermath of a serious car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of his friends. Joshua emphasized that his priority is to tend to his personal matters before confirming his next fight, saying, "I'm sorting some things out with my brothers and their parents... Once I'm 100 per cent, I'll be ready."