Tyson Fury has publicly accused Anthony Joshua of being a "coward" and claimed the two‑time heavyweight champion is "conning everyone" as the two camps continue to hammer out the details of a highly anticipated all‑British clash. The two fighters seemed on the brink of sealing a blockbuster bout, but the involvement of Saudi‑backed promoter Sela, who wants the event staged in the United States, has become a major point of contention. Joshua’s representatives have consistently insisted that the fight should take place on home soil in the United Kingdom, arguing that a British showdown belongs in front of a domestic audience. In response, Fury turned to Instagram on Wednesday to vent his frustration and press the matter.
"Joshua, where are you? Still no deal done. It’s getting quite tiring," Fury wrote. "I’ve been willing to fight wherever you suggest – England, Ireland, Las Vegas, New York, back to England, back to Ireland, back to New York.
I’ve said yes, yes, yes every single time without any conditions." He went on to accuse his rival of avoidance, stating, "The fact is I feel you’re being a coward. I feel you don’t want the fight and you’re just conning everybody. I feel you’ve been doing that for years." Joshua, who recently secured a second‑round knockout of Kristian Prenga in July – a bout in which he was knocked down twice in the opening round before rallying – has not publicly responded to Fury’s barbs. The heavyweight’s last fight, meanwhile, came in July as well, when he faced Mariusz Wach.
Fury stopped the 46‑year‑old in the seventh round and announced his retirement from the sport. Fury’s Instagram post continued with a more confrontational tone: "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. We’re both 37‑38 years old – let’s just fight.
It’s a boxing match and you’ve been knocked out 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 chin you, 100 per cent, but it’s nothing that hasn’t been done before!" Later, Fury posted another Instagram video, this time joined by former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, mimicking Tyson’s iconic line, "Sign the contract, big boy," as a direct challenge to Joshua. Promoter Frank Warren weighed in on Wednesday, saying the ball is "100 per cent" in Joshua’s court.
"Tyson has signed up for the fight and agreed to the fight," Warren explained. "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.
Fury has been teasing the possibility of a New York showdown on social media, but Warren emphasized that the final decision will rest with the financiers, promoters, and broadcasters who are funding the event. "I don’t know," he 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." He added that Fury appears indifferent to location, quoting his fighter: "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 saga reflects a broader trend in modern heavyweight boxing, where negotiations often become protracted due to competing interests from promoters, broadcasters, and national federations.
Both fighters are in the latter stages of their careers, each having already captured multiple world titles and built substantial fan bases. A bout between them would not only settle a long‑standing rivalry but also generate significant pay‑per‑view revenue, especially given the historic nature of a British heavyweight showdown.
Fans have taken to social media to voice their preferences, with many urging the fighters to set aside pride and finalize the contract. Some commentators argue that a UK venue would maximize ticket sales and maintain the British heritage of the clash, while others point out that a U.S. location could tap into a larger global market and attract higher broadcasting fees.
Meanwhile, the promotional landscape continues to shift. Saudi interests have been increasingly involved in high‑profile boxing events, seeking to raise the sport’s profile in the Middle East.
Their desire to host the fight in the United States may be driven by strategic partnerships with American broadcasters and the allure of a marquee venue like Madison Square Garden. Whether this aligns with the fighters’ own preferences remains to be seen. As the deadline for a formal agreement approaches, both camps appear locked in a stalemate. Fury’s public taunts suggest a willingness to pressure Joshua into a decision, while Joshua’s team maintains a firm stance on a UK location.
The outcome will likely hinge on financial negotiations and the willingness of both parties to compromise on venue in exchange for a guaranteed payday. Regardless of where the bout eventually lands, the boxing world is eagerly awaiting the moment when two of Britain’s most celebrated heavyweights finally step into the ring together. The fight promises to be a showcase of experience, power, and determination, offering fans a chance to witness a historic chapter in heavyweight history unfold.