Anthony Joshua Refuses to Commit to Tyson Fury Fight Despite Call-Out

Anthony Joshua has stated that he will likely face Tyson Fury in his next bout, but has refused to commit to the fight immediately after being called out by his rival. Following Fury's victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he challenged Joshua to a highly anticipated British heavyweight showdown, but Joshua remained non-committal. Joshua was in attendance at the event and was approached by Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, who urged him to accept the challenge. However, Joshua chose not to engage, stating that he has been chasing Fury for the past decade and will not be told what to do. He added that he wants to agree to the fight through official contract negotiations rather than in the heat of the moment. Joshua clarified his stance in an interview, explaining that he is willing to fight Fury but will not be rushed into a decision. The potential bout between the two British heavyweights has been discussed for years, but has yet to come to fruition due to various complications, including a rematch clause exercised by Deontay Wilder in 2021. Joshua emphasized that he is not interested in 'clout-chasing' and will only commit to the fight once the terms and conditions have been agreed upon. Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, and Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, were also in attendance, but Hearn declined to get involved in the negotiations at the event. Joshua has only fought once since losing to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 and is currently dealing with personal issues, including a recent car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of his friends. He stated that his focus is on his personal life and that he will prioritize his well-being before confirming his next fight. The highly anticipated bout between Joshua and Fury remains uncertain, with both fighters expressing their willingness to fight, but the details and timing still to be determined.