Robert McCracken, the man who guided Anthony Joshua from his amateur days to the pinnacle of the professional heavyweight division, has weighed in on the ongoing chatter about a potential clash with Tyson Fury. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, McCracken made it clear that the decision to arrange a bout between the two British heavyweights rests solely with the fighters themselves and not with promoters, media or fans.
McCracken, who once served as Joshua’s trainer during his rise to world champion status, reflected on his own career as a boxer, noting that hindsight often brings a mixture of regret and satisfaction. "You look back at what you maybe wished you should have done and what you shouldn't have done," he said. "Most of the time things work out the way they should, but ultimately it’s up to the athletes to decide whether they want to step into the ring with each other and test who is superior." He emphasized that the speculation surrounding a Joshua‑Fury showdown should not dictate the fighters’ choices. "I don’t think it’s anybody else’s business whether they should fight or not – they’ve both proven they belong at the top," McCracken asserted.
He added that the constant buzz is actually beneficial for the sport: "Everyone is talking about it – it puts boxing on the map and that’s great for boxing. When the sport is front‑and‑center in the news, it’s a positive development." The backdrop to this conversation is a series of public statements from the two promoters involved. Frank Warren, who handles Fury’s affairs, told Sky Sports that the terms for a bout had been settled and that they were now "waiting for AJ" to give his answer.
Meanwhile, Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, announced that negotiations had reopened with the aim of staging the fight at Wembley Stadium, reigniting hopes among fans for a UK‑based mega‑event. Fury, for his part, has expressed frustration at the drawn‑out negotiations, taking to social media to label Joshua a "coward" for what he perceives as hesitancy.
McCracken, however, believes that the Olympic gold‑medallist and former world champion would relish the opportunity to settle the rivalry on the biggest stage. "With Anthony Joshua, in my experience, he’s happy to fight anybody. It’s just about how the fight is packaged and what’s best for him – that’s how fighters think these days," McCracken explained.
Although McCracken has not been directly involved with Joshua’s camp for some time, he remains optimistic that the fight will eventually materialise. "It looks like it’s going to happen. Hopefully it will and then everyone can enjoy it," he said, expressing a hopeful outlook for fans eager to see the two titans clash.
Both fighters have had contrasting summer warm‑up bouts that have added fuel to the speculation. Fury delivered a dominant, one‑sided stoppage of Mariusz Wach, showcasing his fluid movement and power.
Joshua, on the other hand, endured a challenging night, being knocked down twice before eventually stopping Kristian Prenga. McCracken suggested that the setbacks Joshua faced could serve as motivation. "Joshua is coming off a performance that wasn’t his best, but he still secured the knockout, and that’s what matters. He’ll be looking to prove the doubters wrong," he said.
He also noted that Fury currently appears to be the favorite based on recent form, but highlighted the intrigue of the matchup. "Tyson would be the favourite at the moment with his recent results and his form.
It’s fascinating when you think about where we are and how long it’s taken to get the fight on the table," McCracken observed. The interview was conducted ahead of a charitable event titled "A Night of Solidarity," scheduled for November 13. This evening of Olympic‑style boxing aims to celebrate the unifying power of sport while raising funds for firefighters’ charities, youth sport organisations, and community groups in North Kensington. The event commemorates the collective response of local boxing clubs and the community after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, where sports clubs helped rebuild safe spaces for young people and supported those affected by the disaster.
The London Fire Brigade Boxing Club (LFB) has been instrumental in using boxing as a tool to bring structure and purpose to young lives across London, partnering with local clubs to foster solidarity between firefighters and community members. "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 drawn from various local clubs. Proceeds will benefit the Firefighters' Charity, local sports charities, and other community initiatives.
In summary, Robert McCracken’s perspective underscores that the decision to stage a Joshua‑Fury fight ultimately belongs to the athletes themselves. While promoters and media may continue to speculate, the former trainer believes the rivalry will only be resolved when both men agree to step into the ring. Until then, the buzz surrounding the potential showdown continues to elevate boxing’s profile, providing a welcome spotlight for the sport and its fans.