Sky Sports analyst Johnny Nelson has voiced growing skepticism about the prospect of a bout between heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, suggesting that the fight is "less and less likely" to materialise. According to Nelson, Joshua and his promotional outfit Matchroom Boxing have solid reasons to hold firm in the ongoing negotiations, especially after the British fighter’s recent performance raised doubts about his current form.
Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom, has repeatedly asserted that a contract exists for a Fury‑Joshua showdown at Wembley Stadium. The agreement, however, is being tested by a dispute over the venue, with some parties even proposing Madison Square Garden in New York as an alternative location. Hearn has been in recent talks with London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, who has pledged to do everything possible to keep the fight on British soil, despite concerns about a potential curfew that could affect Wembley’s schedule. Nelson points out that Joshua’s recent comeback win over Kristian Prenga, in which the champion was knocked down twice, has left his camp even more determined to dictate the terms of the fight.
"No, I don’t think Fury vs Joshua will happen unless the other side decides to lay down and say, ‘You know what, we’ll give you what you want,’" Nelson told Sky Sports. He believes that Joshua’s team will not budge, citing two main reasons: the lack of confidence inspired by Joshua’s last performance and the existence of a signed contract that obliges the opposing side to meet the stipulated conditions. "If they’re going to embark on this fight, they’re going to say: ‘This is what we asked for; if you don’t want to do it, that’s your problem,’" Nelson explained.
He added that the pressure is mounting on the Saudi‑backed promoter Turki Al‑Alshikh, who is overseeing the event’s logistics, as well as on Fury himself. The Saudi federation’s involvement adds another layer of complexity, as the organisers must balance the expectations of a global audience with the practicalities of staging a mega‑event in either London or New York.
The discussion also touches on the broader business implications for British boxing. A high‑profile clash between two homegrown champions would generate significant revenue for the UK economy, attract international media attention, and boost the sport’s profile domestically. Mayor Khan’s involvement underscores the political dimension: a successful fight could be touted as a triumph for London’s sporting infrastructure and a showcase for the city’s ability to host world‑class events. Nevertheless, Nelson remains unconvinced that the contractual stalemate will be resolved in favour of the British side.
He argues that the recent display of vulnerability by Joshua—being floored twice—has weakened his negotiating position. "Anthony Joshua has said to Eddie Hearn, ‘We’ve got a contract; stick to the contract. No nudging; this is what we’re doing,’" Nelson quoted. "Unless Turki Al‑Alshikh and Tyson say, ‘All right, let’s do this,’ the chance of the fight happening continues to shrink." Nelson also speculated on the hypothetical scenario where Fury, rather than Joshua, had shown the same level of frailty in his previous bout.
He believes that if Fury had been the one to stumble, the urgency to secure the fight on his terms would be far less pronounced, and the negotiation dynamics would shift dramatically. In summary, the analyst’s outlook is clear: the combination of Joshua’s shaky recent showing, a firm contractual stance from Matchroom, and the logistical tug‑of‑war over venue selection are collectively driving the Fury‑Joshua showdown further into the realm of improbability.
While the UK government and local authorities are eager to see the fight happen on home soil, the contractual realities and the fighters’ recent performances suggest that the bout may remain a tantalising, yet unfulfilled, prospect for now.