Tyson Fury has once again taken to social media to lambast Anthony Joshua, calling him a "coward" and accusing the former two‑time world heavyweight champion of "conning everyone" as the two fighters continue to haggle over a long‑awaited all‑British clash. The exchange comes after weeks of intense back‑and‑forth, with both camps appearing close to sealing a deal before a new obstacle emerged: the Saudi‑backed promoters behind the event, led by Sela, have expressed a strong desire to stage the bout on American soil, a proposition that Joshua’s team has consistently rejected in favour of a UK venue.
Joshua, fresh from a dramatic second‑round knockout win over Kristian Prenga in July – a fight in which he was himself knocked down twice in the opening round before rallying to stop his opponent – has been vocal about wanting the showdown to take place at home. His camp has repeatedly stressed that a British setting, whether Wembley, Manchester or another iconic venue, remains the preferred location for the historic encounter. Meanwhile, Fury has signalled his willingness to travel wherever the fight is booked, listing England, Ireland, Las Vegas, New York and even a return to the UK and Ireland as possible destinations.
On Wednesday, Fury posted a terse Instagram story aimed directly at Joshua, questioning the lack of progress and expressing his frustration. "Joshua, where are you? Still no deal done. It's getting quite tiring," he wrote.
"I've been down to fight in every location that's been mentioned – England, Ireland, Vegas, New York, back to England, back to Ireland, back to New York. I've said yep, yep, yep every single time with zero stipulations. 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." Fury’s comments were not limited to a simple jab; he went on to outline a series of missed opportunities, suggesting that Joshua had repeatedly turned down chances to face him. "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 out for a final time," Fury continued.
He added a pointed reminder of their similar ages – both fighters are now in their late thirties – and challenged Joshua to settle the matter in the ring. "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!" The heavyweight champion’s last bout came earlier in July when he faced Mariusz Wach. Fury, then 46, stopped the Polish contender in the seventh round, adding another victory to his extensive résumé and reinforcing his claim that he remains a dangerous opponent despite his age.
The win over Wach, combined with his recent social media tirade, appears designed to keep pressure on Joshua and his promoters, signalling that Fury is ready to fight at a moment’s notice, regardless of venue. Adding a theatrical flair to the drama, Fury posted a second Instagram video later that day featuring former heavyweight legend Mike Tyson. In the clip, Fury mimicked Tyson’s iconic line, "Sign the contract, big boy," further emphasizing his eagerness to see the deal finalized. The visual was a clear message to Joshua and his team that the time for talk is ending.
Promoter Frank Warren weighed in on Wednesday, stating that the ball is now "100 per cent" in Joshua’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 ultimate location of the bout remains uncertain. He noted that Fury had recently hinted at Madison Square Garden on social media, but clarified that the decision will rest with the financiers, promoters, and broadcasters who are footing the bill.
Warren also relayed Fury’s apparent indifference to the venue, quoting the champion as saying he would fight anywhere – whether at Wembley, New York, the Isle of Wight or the Isle of Man – as long as the fight happens. "Tyson just wants to get on. He said 'I don't care where I'll fight, whether it's Wembley, New York, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man – I'll fight him anywhere'. He doesn't care," Warren explained.
The ongoing saga highlights the complexities of modern heavyweight matchmaking, where financial considerations, broadcast rights, and national pride intersect. For fans, the prospect of a Fury‑Joshua showdown remains one of the most tantalising possibilities in the sport, promising a clash of two of Britain’s biggest boxing icons. Until a venue is agreed upon and contracts are signed, the two camps will likely continue their public sparring, each trying to gain the upper hand in the negotiation room while keeping the audience engaged and eager for the eventual fight.