AJ Refuses to Commit to Fury Showdown After Call-Out

Anthony Joshua has stated that he will likely face Tyson Fury in his next bout, but he refused to immediately accept Fury's challenge for a highly anticipated British heavyweight showdown later this year. Joshua was in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday to watch Fury defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov, after which Fury called out Joshua for a fight. "Next, I want to give you the fight you've all been waiting for," Fury said to the crowd. "I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let's give the fight fans what they want - the Battle of Britain. I challenge you Anthony Joshua to fight me, the Gypsy King, next. Do you accept my challenge?" Joshua remained calm and composed, stating that he has never had a problem getting in the ring with Fury and that he will face him when the time is right. "With all due respect, tonight is your night and you know I'll be across that ring from you in due time," Joshua said. "You ain't going to tell me what to do. I've been chasing you for the last 10 years. When you're ready, you come and see me and tell me your terms and conditions and I'll have you in the ring when I'm ready." Joshua also mentioned that he wants to agree to the fight through official contract negotiations rather than in the middle of a packed stadium. In an interview, Joshua clarified his stance, saying that he is willing to fight Fury but wants to do it through proper channels. "In my heart I'll fight Tyson Fury tomorrow, especially after watching that. It's not a problem with me fighting, but I'm not here to get clout, I'm here to fight," Joshua said. "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." A bout between Joshua and Fury has been talked about for years but has never come to fruition. In 2021, the two 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 blamed Fury's approach for the fight not being agreed upon. "He's the one that retired, I've been in the game and never retired. I've been standing strong the last 13 years," Joshua said. "It's on him. He disappears and comes back. I'm standing strong. I'm not here to chase fame or hype. I'll fight whoever is in front of me, whether it's him or the next person, it don't matter to me." Joshua has only fought once since losing to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, and that was against YouTube star Jake Paul last December. He has been dealing with the fallout from a serious car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Joshua says that his focus is on his personal life ahead of confirming his next fight. "I was just in a serious incident four months ago, so I need to check out what's going on with my return to the ring," Joshua said. "I'm here and keeping my eye in the game. There's real stuff happening in my life, I'm not ducking anybody. I know what my job is and I know what I have to do."