Tyson Fury has once again taken to social media to lambast Anthony Joshua, calling the two‑time heavyweight champion a "coward" and accusing him 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 between the camps, with both men seemingly on the brink of sealing a blockbuster bout before a disagreement over the venue threatened to derail the deal. The latest obstacle appears to be the preference of Saudi‑backed promoters, led by Sela, who have expressed a strong desire to stage the fight on American soil. In contrast, Joshua’s representatives have consistently insisted that the showdown should be held in the United Kingdom, arguing that a home‑ground setting would be more fitting for a contest between two British icons.
This tug‑of‑war over location has left the negotiations in limbo, prompting Fury to voice his frustration publicly. On Wednesday, Fury posted a series of Instagram stories that read, "Joshua, where are you? Still no deal done. It's getting quite tiring.
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." He went on to add, "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 accompanied by a video clip showing him mimicking the famous line of former champion Mike Tyson – "Sign the contract, big boy" – a clear jab at Joshua to finally put pen to paper.
The heavyweight legend’s Instagram feed was also peppered with references to Madison Square Garden, suggesting that the New York venue remains a viable option if the financial backers are willing to fund it. For context, Joshua entered the discussion fresh from a dramatic second‑round knockout of Kristian Prenga in July. Although he secured the victory, the fight was not without drama; Joshua was knocked down twice in the opening round before rallying to stop his opponent. Meanwhile, Fury’s most recent bout also took place in July, when he faced Mariusz Wach.
The 46‑year‑old challenger was stopped in the seventh round, giving Fury another win to add to his already impressive résumé. In his Instagram tirade, Fury didn’t shy away from personal attacks.
"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. "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 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!" Promoter Frank Warren, who represents Joshua, responded on Wednesday by 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 also admitted uncertainty about the ultimate location of the bout. He noted that Fury had recently teased a potential showdown at Madison Square Garden on social media, but emphasized that the final decision would rest with the financiers, promoters, and television partners who are footing the bill.
"I don't know," Warren said. "That's going to be up to the people who are putting up the money and the promoters and the TV company putting up the money. 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." The stalemate highlights a broader trend in modern heavyweight boxing, where lucrative overseas venues and broadcast deals can outweigh the sentimental pull of a home‑country showdown. Both fighters are now 37‑38 years old, an age at which many heavyweights begin to contemplate retirement or at least a reduced schedule. Yet the financial incentives attached to a high‑profile UK‑vs‑US event remain compelling for both camps. Fans worldwide are eager for a definitive answer.
A UK‑based fight would likely draw massive attendance at venues such as Wembley Arena or the O2, while a U.S. location—particularly New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden—could generate a global television audience and potentially higher pay‑per‑view numbers. The decision will ultimately hinge on which side can convince the promoters and broadcasters that their preferred venue offers the best blend of revenue, exposure, and logistical feasibility.
In the meantime, the back‑and‑forth between Fury and Joshua continues to dominate boxing headlines, with each new Instagram post or press statement adding another layer to the drama. Whether the two giants will finally step into the ring remains to be seen, but the ongoing public sparring suggests that both men are determined to secure the most advantageous terms before committing to what could become one of the defining fights of their careers.