Tyson Fury has taken to social media to publicly accuse Anthony Joshua of being a "coward" and of "conning everyone" as the two heavyweight titans continue to haggle over a long‑awaited all‑British clash. The tension between the fighters has escalated after recent talks seemed to be on the brink of a breakthrough, only to be derailed by a disagreement over the venue. Saudi‑backed promoters, led by Sela, have expressed a strong preference for staging the bout on American soil, a condition that Joshua’s camp has repeatedly rejected, insisting that the fight belong in the United Kingdom.
In a series of Instagram posts on Wednesday, Fury vented his frustration at what he perceives 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 any location that has been suggested – from England and Ireland to Las Vegas and New York – without imposing any extra 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 continued, accusing the former champion of dragging his feet for personal gain. Joshua, who recently secured a dramatic second‑round knockout of Kristian Prenga in July – a fight in which he was knocked down twice in the opening round before rallying to win – has not yet responded publicly to Fury’s barbs. The British boxer’s last bout demonstrated his resilience and ability to recover under pressure, qualities that many fans hope will be on display in a potential showdown with Fury.
Fury’s own most recent fight came in July as well, when he faced Mariusz Wach. The 46‑year‑old Fury stopped the Polish contender in the seventh round, adding another victory to his extensive record.
After the win, Fury turned his attention back to Joshua, challenging him with a mixture of bravado and a hint of desperation. "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!" The exchange grew even more theatrical when Fury posted a video featuring former heavyweight legend Mike Tyson, mimicking Tyson’s iconic line "Sign the contract, big boy" – a clear signal that he is ready to put pen to paper and move forward. The post was accompanied by a reminder to viewers to use Chrome for a better video experience, underscoring the promotional push surrounding the saga. 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’s comments suggest that the logistical and financial aspects of the bout are largely settled, leaving only the location as a point of contention. When asked about the venue, Warren admitted uncertainty. He noted that Fury had recently hinted at Madison Square Garden on social media, but ultimately the decision will rest with the financiers, promoters, and broadcasting partners who are funding the event.
"That I don't know," Warren replied. "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." Despite the ambiguity, Fury’s stance appears unwavering. He has repeatedly emphasized that he is willing to fight wherever Joshua chooses, whether it be Wembley Stadium, a New York arena, the Isle of Wight, or even the Isle of Man. "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 added.
The broader boxing community is watching closely, as a Fury‑Joshua matchup would represent one of the most high‑profile heavyweight contests in recent memory. Both fighters are in their late thirties, an age where experience often outweighs raw athleticism, and each has a substantial fan base eager for a definitive answer to the question of who truly is the best heavyweight in Britain today. If the fight does materialize, it could also have significant financial implications.
A UK‑based bout would likely generate massive gate receipts and pay‑per‑view numbers domestically, while a US venue could tap into the lucrative American market and attract a global audience. The decision will therefore hinge not only on the fighters’ personal preferences but also on the strategic calculations of promoters, broadcasters, and sponsors.
In the meantime, both camps continue to trade barbs on social media, keeping the hype alive and ensuring that the conversation remains front‑page news for boxing fans worldwide. Whether the next Instagram post will feature a new challenge, a peace offering, or a confirmation of a signed contract remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Fury‑Joshua saga is far from over, and the anticipation for an eventual showdown continues to build with each passing day.