Tyson Fury has once again taken to social media to lambaste Anthony Joshua, labeling the two‑time heavyweight champion a "coward" and accusing him of "conning everyone" as the two camps continue to haggle over a much‑anticipated all‑British clash. The friction between the fighters has been simmering for months, with both men appearing on the brink of sealing a historic bout before a key demand from the Saudi promoters – a desire to stage the fight on U.S. soil – threw a wrench into the negotiations. The British side, led by Joshua’s representatives, has been steadfast in its insistence that the showdown be held in the United Kingdom.
They argue that a home‑grown event would maximise fan interest and preserve the legacy of a domestic heavyweight duel. Fury, however, has expressed frustration at what he perceives as Joshua’s reluctance to commit, pointing out that he has been willing to travel to any venue that has been suggested.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Fury asked bluntly, "Joshua, where are you? Still no deal done. It's getting quite tiring." He went on to list a litany of possible locations – England, Ireland, Las Vegas, New York, then back to England, back to Ireland, and back to New York – and insisted that he had answered "yes" to each suggestion 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," Fury wrote, making clear his belief that Joshua has been dragging his feet for personal reasons rather than genuine logistical concerns. The backdrop to this verbal sparring is Joshua’s recent performance in the ring. In July, he secured a second‑round knockout of Kristian Prenga, a fight that also saw him knocked down twice in the opening round before rallying to finish his opponent.
The victory, while impressive, highlighted that Joshua is still vulnerable to early pressure, a fact Fury seems eager to exploit in his public tirade. Fury himself last fought in July as well, taking on Mariusz Wach and forcing the 46‑year‑old opponent to retire in the seventh round.
That win gave Fury a platform to claim that he has offered Joshua numerous opportunities to meet him in the ring, but that the challenger has never truly wanted the matchup. "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 wrote.
He added a dose of bravado, noting that both fighters are now in their late thirties – "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." The tone of Fury’s messages grew increasingly combative as he continued, "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!" He later posted a short video featuring former heavyweight legend Mike Tyson, mimicking the iconic "Sign the contract, big boy" line, further stoking the fire of the ongoing 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, referring to Fury.
"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 venue remains uncertain.
He noted that Fury had hinted at Madison Square Garden on social media, but ultimately the decision will rest with the financiers, promoters, and broadcasters who are footing the bill. Warren emphasized Joshua’s willingness to travel, quoting his fighter’s own words: "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." This statement underscores the paradox at the heart of the negotiations: while Fury appears eager to fight anywhere, the logistical and commercial realities of staging a mega‑event across continents add layers of complexity.
The broader boxing community is watching closely. A British heavyweight showdown would not only reignite the storied rivalry between two of the sport’s most recognizable names but also generate significant revenue for promoters and broadcasters alike. Yet the clash of interests – Saudi promoters seeking a U.S.
venue versus the British camp’s desire for a home‑soil spectacle – continues to stall progress. As the weeks turn into months, fans are left to wonder whether the two fighters will finally sit down at a table, sign the paperwork, and deliver the bout that has been teased for so long. Until then, the exchange of barbs on social media will likely persist, with Fury continuing to call out Joshua’s perceived hesitancy and Joshua’s team maintaining that the final decision rests on a mutually agreeable location and financial terms.
The saga remains one of the most compelling narratives in modern heavyweight boxing, and its resolution could shape the sport’s landscape for years to come.