Tyson Fury has once again taken to social media to lambast Anthony Joshua, calling the former two‑time heavyweight champion a "coward" and accusing him of "conning everybody" as the two fighters continue to haggle over a long‑awaited all‑British clash. The exchange comes after weeks of seemingly productive talks that appeared to bring the super‑fight within reach, only to be derailed by a disagreement over the venue. Saudi‑backed promoters, led by Sela, have pushed for the bout to be staged in the United States, while Joshua’s camp has consistently insisted that the fight should be held on British soil.
In a series of Instagram posts on Wednesday, Fury expressed his frustration with what he sees as Joshua’s reluctance to seal the deal. "Joshua, where are you? Still no deal done.
It's getting quite tiring," Fury wrote, adding that he has been willing to travel to every location that has been suggested – England, Ireland, Las Vegas, New York, and then back again – without attaching any conditions. "The facts are that I feel like you're being a coward. I feel like you don't want the fight and you're just conning everybody. I feel like you've been doing that for years," he continued, a clear jab at his rival’s perceived evasiveness.
The backdrop to this verbal sparring is a recent string of fights for both men. Joshua entered the conversation fresh from a second‑round knockout of Kristian Prenga in July, a bout in which he was knocked down twice in the opening round before rallying to stop his opponent.
Fury, meanwhile, also fought in July, taking on Mariusz Wach and forcing the 46‑year‑old to retire in the seventh round. Both fighters, now in their late thirties, have been vocal about their desire to prove they still have something to offer the sport. Fury’s Instagram tirade grew increasingly pointed. "You've had many opportunities to fight me, but deep down you've never really wanted it, so let's see if you're going to man up for a final time," he wrote.
He reminded fans that both he and Joshua are 37‑38 years old, and that age should not be an excuse for hesitation. "We're both f***ing 37, 38 years old – let's f***ing fight.
It's a boxing match and you've been banjoed before plenty of times. You've been knocked sparked out a few times.
So what, what's the worst that can happen? I'm going to f***ing chin you, 100 per cent, but it's nothing that hasn't been done before!" Fury’s language was deliberately confrontational, designed to pressure Joshua into committing to a date and location. The drama intensified when Fury posted a video featuring former heavyweight legend Mike Tyson, mimicking Tyson’s iconic line "Sign the contract, big boy" in an effort to underscore his readiness to finalize the agreement.
The clip quickly went viral, adding another layer of public pressure to the already tense negotiations. Promoter Frank Warren, who represents Joshua, weighed in on Wednesday, stating that the ball is "100 per cent" in his fighter’s court.
"Tyson has signed up for the fight and agreed to the fight," Warren said. "He's all good to go, just waiting for AJ. I can't speak for him, because he's with Matchroom. He [Fury] has signed." Warren admitted, however, that the location remains uncertain.
He noted that Fury had recently hinted at Madison Square Garden on social media, but emphasized that the final decision would rest with the financiers, promoters, and broadcasters who are funding the event. Warren also highlighted Joshua’s willingness to travel, quoting his fighter’s statement that he would fight anywhere – whether it be Wembley, New York, the Isle of Wight, or the Isle of Man – as long as the contract is signed.
This suggests that while Joshua’s camp prefers a UK venue, they are not entirely closed off to a transatlantic showdown if the financial and logistical pieces fall into place. The ongoing stalemate reflects a broader trend in heavyweight boxing, where high‑profile fights often hinge on complex negotiations involving multiple stakeholders, including promoters, broadcasters, and sovereign wealth funds.
The involvement of Saudi interests adds another dimension, as the Kingdom seeks to position itself as a major player in global sport by financing marquee events. For British fans, the prospect of a home‑grown clash between Fury and Joshua remains tantalising, promising a narrative showdown between two of the sport’s most charismatic figures. If the two finally agree, the fight would likely become one of the most watched boxing events in recent memory, drawing massive pay‑per‑view numbers and potentially reshaping the heavyweight landscape.
Both fighters have expressed a desire to cement their legacies before retirement, and a victory for either would solidify their claim to being the pre‑eminent British heavyweight of their generation. Until a contract is signed and a venue confirmed, the banter will continue to dominate headlines. Fury’s aggressive social‑media campaign, Joshua’s measured responses, and the strategic positioning of promoters and financiers will all play a part in determining when – and where – this blockbuster bout finally materialises.