Robert McCracken, the man who once guided Anthony Joshua from his amateur days to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division, has weighed in on the ongoing chatter about a potential showdown with Tyson Fury. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, McCracken emphasized that the question of whether the former unified champion should step into the ring with Fury is a matter for the two fighters alone, not for promoters, media or fans to dictate. McCracken, who was Joshua’s trainer during his early professional years and helped him capture the world heavyweight title, warned against the endless speculation that has surrounded a possible AJ‑vs‑Fury bout. "I spent my own career inside the ring, and looking back you see the choices you made—both the good ones and the mistakes," he told Sky Sports.
"Most of the time things sort themselves out, but ultimately it’s up to the athletes to decide if they want to test each other and see who comes out on top." He continued, "I don’t think anyone else should be deciding whether they fight. Both men have already proved they belong at the top. The fact that everyone keeps talking about it only puts boxing in the spotlight, which is a positive thing for the sport as a whole." The comments come at a time when the two British heavyweights are inching closer to a deal.
Promoter Frank Warren, who handles Fury, recently told Sky Sports that the terms had been settled and that they were now "waiting for AJ" to give his final approval. Meanwhile, Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, announced that negotiations had reopened with a view to staging the clash at Wembley Stadium. Fury, frustrated by the drawn‑out negotiations, took to social media and labeled Joshua a "coward," a remark that only heightened the public’s appetite for a showdown.
McCracken, however, believes Joshua would welcome the chance to settle the rivalry on the canvas. "From what I’ve seen, Anthony is always up for a fight. It’s just a question of how it’s packaged and what makes sense for his career at this stage," McCracken explained. "I haven’t been directly involved with him for a while, but it looks like the fight is moving forward.
If it happens, fans will finally get to enjoy the spectacle they’ve been waiting for." Both fighters have had contrasting results in their recent warm‑up bouts. Fury dispatched Mariusz Wach with a dominant stoppage, while Joshua endured a challenging night, being knocked down twice before rallying to stop Kristian Prenga.
McCracken suggested that the setbacks Joshua experienced could serve as fuel for a future encounter. "Anthony’s performance wasn’t his best, but he still secured the knockout, which matters most. He’ll be eager to prove the doubters wrong," he said. He added, "Tyson is currently the favorite given his recent form, but the intrigue lies in how long it has taken to bring this fight together.
The longer the wait, the more anticipation builds, and that can create a massive payday for both camps." Beyond the fight talk, McCracken was also promoting an upcoming charitable event, ‘A Night of Solidarity,’ scheduled for November 13. The evening is designed as an Olympic‑style boxing showcase to celebrate sport’s unifying power while raising funds for firefighters’ charities, youth sport programmes, and community groups in North Kensington. The event pays tribute to the resilience of the local community after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, when boxing clubs and sports organisations rallied to provide safe spaces and support for those affected.
The London Fire Brigade Boxing Club (LFB) has been instrumental in this effort, using boxing as a tool to bring structure and purpose to young people’s lives and to foster solidarity between firefighters and local residents. ‘A Night of Solidarity’ will feature twelve bouts, pitting an LFB select team against a North Kensington squad composed of men, women, and youth boxers from various clubs across the capital.
Proceeds will benefit local sports charities, the Firefighter’s Charity, and other community initiatives. In summary, while promoters and media continue to speculate, McCracken’s message is clear: the decision to fight lies solely with Joshua and Fury.
Their potential clash promises to reignite global interest in heavyweight boxing, and regardless of the outcome, it will undoubtedly bring much‑needed attention and financial support to charitable causes tied to the sport.