Tyson Fury has made it clear that he remains skeptical about Anthony Joshua’s willingness to step into the ring for the long‑awaited British blockbuster many fans have been anticipating. The heavyweight champion questioned whether his rival truly possesses the "guts" required to face him in a high‑stakes showdown. Fury voiced his doubts after finishing a seventh‑round stoppage of Mariusz Wach in a low‑key, non‑televised bout held in Thailand on Friday. During the post‑fight interview, he recalled Joshua’s decision not to meet him after the Englishman’s impressive victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.
"I passed my test," Fury said, "now we’ll see if Anthony can pass his. The biggest test of all is whether he’s got the balls to do it. I think he’s a big s***‑house." The former champion went on to mock the atmosphere in London, noting that in front of a 70,000‑strong crowd at Tottenham, Joshua never showed the bravery to accept a fight with him.
"He never had the guts to get in the ring and face me. Let’s see if he ever does.
I’m not convinced," Fury added, before turning his attention to the logistics of a potential bout. He speculated about venues ranging from Las Vegas and New York to Dublin, London, Belfast, and even Pattaya, Thailand, where he was currently fighting. Meanwhile, Joshua is preparing for his own tune‑up fight, scheduled for Saturday in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prenga. This bout will be his first competitive outing since the tragic car accident in Nigeria last December, which claimed the lives of two close friends who were travelling with him.
The Englishman is eager to prove that he can still perform at the elite level and, perhaps, silence Fury’s taunts. Fury’s own schedule has been unusually sparse. The 37‑year‑old has fought only twice in the past two years – a points win over Makhmudov and the recent stoppage of Wach.
He emphasized the importance of staying active, not just for the physical work inside the ropes but also for the surrounding events that make a fight a full‑scale production: press conferences, weigh‑ins, media obligations, and the mental pressure that builds in the days leading up to a bout. He also addressed rumors that he might travel to Jeddah this weekend to face Joshua.
"I’ve been away for the last six or seven months, training away from home. I’m definitely not going to Jeddah. I’m going back to my wife and kids who have been supporting me from a distance," Fury explained. He highlighted the toll that long training camps take on a fighter’s body and mind, noting a ten‑week stint in a training camp followed by a previous four‑month period away from home.
"I need a break, a chance to rest and spend time with my family," he said. Fury’s comments also hinted at the business side of boxing. He suggested that a deal for the much‑talked‑about Fury‑Joshua clash could be signed as early as next week, though the exact location remains uncertain. The two heavyweights have been flirting with the idea of a Wembley showdown that would start at 2 a.m.
local time to accommodate a global television audience, a concept that underscores how modern boxing events are increasingly shaped by broadcast considerations. The discussion surrounding the potential fight has spilled over onto social media and streaming platforms. Sky Sports, for instance, is promoting a range of other boxing events, such as Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, which will be available live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 p.m.
on Sunday. Fans are also encouraged to stream boxing without a contract through the NOW service, reflecting the growing demand for flexible, on‑demand sports content. In summary, Tyson Fury’s recent remarks paint a picture of a champion who is both confident in his own preparation and openly critical of Anthony Joshua’s readiness to accept a fight.
While Fury insists he will not travel to Saudi Arabia this weekend, he leaves the door open for a future showdown, albeit one that may take place in a location far removed from the traditional UK venues that both fighters call home. Joshua, on the other hand, is seeking to rebuild momentum with a tune‑up bout in Saudi Arabia, hoping to demonstrate that he still possesses the skill, determination, and, as Fury would put it, the "guts" needed to take on the British lion. The boxing world will be watching closely, waiting to see whether the two giants of the heavyweight division will finally meet in the ring and, if they do, where that historic encounter will be staged.