Sky Sports analyst Johnny Nelson has voiced growing doubts that a showdown between heavyweight titans Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will ever materialise. According to Nelson, the negotiations have stalled to the point where the bout is becoming "less and less likely" as both camps dig in over the terms of a proposed contract. The saga began when Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn announced that Joshua had signed a preliminary agreement to face Fury at Wembley Stadium, sparking excitement among British fans who hoped to witness two homegrown champions clash on home soil. However, the location has since become a point of contention, with the possibility of moving the event to New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden also being floated.
Hearn has even engaged in fresh discussions with London mayor Sadiq Khan, who has pledged to support the fight and mitigate any logistical hurdles, such as the curfew restrictions that could affect Wembley’s scheduling. Nelson argues that Joshua and his team now have a stronger bargaining position than ever.
He points to the heavyweight’s recent performance against Kristian Prenga, a bout in which Joshua was knocked down twice before rallying to secure a win. While the victory restored his unbeaten record, the shaky showing exposed vulnerabilities that could influence how aggressively his camp pursues the fight.
"Anthony Joshua and Matchroom have every reason to stand their ground," Nelson told Sky Sports. "First, his last performance didn’t inspire absolute confidence. Second, they have a signed contract, and they can demand that the terms be honoured.
If the other side refuses, that’s their problem." The contractual angle is crucial. According to Hearn, the agreement outlines specific conditions that both parties must meet, including venue, revenue split, and promotional responsibilities. Nelson believes that unless Fury’s representatives, led by Saudi Arabian sports patron Turki Al‑Alshikh, are willing to concede to those stipulations, the deal may collapse.
"Unless the other side decides to lay down and say, ‘You know what, we’ll give you what you want,’ I don’t see this happening," Nelson said. Adding another layer of complexity is the timing of the fight. Fury is currently the unified heavyweight champion, holding the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO belts, while Joshua is the former two‑time champion seeking to reclaim his status.
Both fighters have demanding schedules, and any delay could affect their training cycles and marketability. Moreover, the commercial stakes are enormous. A Fury‑Joshua clash would likely generate hundreds of millions of pounds in pay‑per‑view revenue, ticket sales, and sponsorship deals, making the negotiation of every clause a high‑stakes affair.
Nelson also highlighted the psychological factor. He suggested that Joshua’s recent knock‑downs could make his camp more cautious, fearing that a premature fight might expose further weaknesses. "If I were Team AJ, I’d do the same, because AJ’s performance didn’t fill me with complete and utter belief that this will go our way," he explained. In contrast, Fury’s recent bout against a less‑tested opponent left him looking fresh and confident, which could shift the power dynamics in the negotiation room.
The involvement of public officials adds a political dimension. Mayor Khan has publicly committed to doing "everything possible" to bring the fight to the UK, emphasizing the economic boost it would provide to the local hospitality and tourism sectors.
However, the mayor’s support does not override the contractual obligations that Hearn and Joshua have already set. Nelson warned that even with governmental pressure, the fight could still fall apart if the contractual terms are not met. "They have put the pressure on. Sadiq Khan has got involved, and he’s said: ‘We’re going to do everything possible to make this happen and bring this business to the UK.’" In summary, Johnny Nelson believes the odds are sliding against a Fury‑Joshua showdown.
The combination of a shaky recent performance by Joshua, a firm contractual stance by Matchroom, and the demanding expectations of Fury’s camp creates a perfect storm of obstacles. Unless both sides find common ground—perhaps by compromising on venue, financial splits, or promotional duties—the fight may remain a tantalising but unrealised fantasy for heavyweight fans worldwide. At present, the consensus among insiders, as reflected by Nelson’s analysis, is that the bout is "less and less likely" to happen, and the window for a resolution may be closing rapidly.