Tyson Fury has publicly stated that, in his view, there is merely a "one per cent" chance that his highly anticipated bout with Anthony Joshua will actually take place. The heavyweight champion made the comment during a recent appearance on his YouTube channel, Furocity, where he was asked to put a percentage on the probability of the fight happening. Fury answered bluntly: "One per cent.
If you have a guy who wants to fight and a guy who doesn't want to fight, how are you going to make that fight happen?" He went on to reflect on his own long career, noting that he has fought nearly 40 professional bouts and has been at the top of the sport for more than a decade. "I've faced countless champions and contested every major title in boxing," he said, "but every time it comes to fighting Joshua… it never materialises." The background to this scepticism is that, after months of drawn‑out negotiations, a tentative agreement was finally announced on Thursday that the all‑British heavyweight showdown would be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday, 11 December. The announcement described the fight as the biggest event in British boxing history and named Saudi financier Turki Al‑Alshikh’s promotion The Ring, together with UFC boss Dana White, as the organisers. However, Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, has openly disputed the involvement of the American promoter, claiming that White cannot be part of the deal.
White, speaking after Johnny Fisher’s win at the Copper Box, tried to set the record straight. "I’m involved in the fight," he said.
"If Eddie Hearn really cared about this fight, it would have happened a long time ago. He could finance it himself.
I’ve said this a million times – sell tickets, secure a TV deal and sell the fight." Yet White admitted that his confidence was waning. "I don’t know," he confessed.
"The guy who’s supposed to be helping the fight has been hurting it the whole time. He hasn’t done the fight any favours, let’s put it that way. We’ll know more in the next three or four days." Fury also revealed that his original plan was to stage the bout in Ireland, specifically at Croke Park. The stadium, which is more famous for Gaelic games, has only hosted two boxing contests in its 142‑year history.
"In the beginning I signed the contract to do the fight in Ireland, at Croke Park, because that’s where I wanted it," Fury explained. "If I had stuck to that contract, this fight wouldn’t have happened, would it? There’s nothing I haven’t agreed to, nothing. I’d even tie concrete blocks to my boots to make this fight happen.
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see it happen." Despite his earlier doubts, Fury concluded the interview on a slightly more optimistic note, pointing to the fact that the parties have already been paid. "I do think it’ll happen because from what I’m hearing they’ve already been paid. So the fight’s got to happen.
Not unless Joshua wants to give the money back, which I can’t see him doing," he said. The saga surrounding a Fury‑Joshua clash has been marked by a series of twists and turns. Initial talks began in early 2023, but disagreements over venue, purse splits, and broadcast rights repeatedly stalled progress.
Both fighters have massive fan bases in the UK, and the prospect of a domestic heavyweight showdown has been billed as a potential revenue bonanza, with estimates suggesting the event could generate hundreds of millions of pounds in gate receipts, pay‑per‑view sales, and sponsorship deals. Financial considerations have been a major sticking point. Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing has traditionally relied on a network of British broadcasters, while The Ring and White have pushed for a global streaming partnership that could bring in a larger, international audience. The involvement of Saudi money adds another layer of complexity, as regulators and public opinion scrutinise the source of funding for high‑profile sporting events.
Logistically, the choice of venue has also proved contentious. While Cardiff’s Principality Stadium can accommodate over 70,000 spectators, Croke Park offers a similar capacity but would have given the fight an Irish flavour, potentially appealing to a broader Celtic fan base. Fury’s willingness to fight in Ireland reflects his personal connection to the country and his desire to broaden his market beyond the UK.
From a sporting perspective, the fight would pit two of the era’s most powerful heavyweights against each other. Fury, standing at 6‑9 with a reach of 85 inches, is known for his unorthodox style, high‑volume punching, and remarkable resilience. Joshua, a former unified champion at 6‑6 with a more conventional, aggressive approach, boasts a strong knockout record and a loyal following.
Analysts have debated the stylistic matchup for months, with many predicting a close, tactical battle that could go the distance. In recent weeks, both camps have released statements aimed at keeping public interest alive. Fury’s comments about a "one per cent" chance have been interpreted by some as a psychological ploy to pressure Joshua’s team into committing fully, while others view it as a genuine expression of frustration after months of dead‑end negotiations. Joshua’s representatives have remained largely silent, opting instead to focus on his training camp and upcoming fights against lower‑ranked opponents as a way to stay sharp.
As the December date approaches, the boxing world watches closely. If the fight does happen, it will likely be broadcast across multiple platforms, with a hybrid model of traditional pay‑per‑view and digital streaming to maximise revenue. If it falls through, the fallout could be significant for both promoters, potentially delaying the next major heavyweight clash for years. In summary, while Fury publicly rates the odds at just one per cent, the contractual obligations, financial investments already made, and the sheer commercial appetite for a British heavyweight showdown suggest that the fight may still materialise.
The next few days will be crucial in determining whether the parties can resolve their remaining differences or whether the much‑anticipated clash will be relegated to the realm of boxing folklore.