Tyson Fury has openly stated that, in his view, there is merely a "one per cent" chance that his highly anticipated clash with Anthony Joshua will ever come to fruition. 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 actually happening. The backdrop to Fury’s remarks is a protracted saga that has spanned several months. After endless rounds of negotiation, it was finally confirmed that the two British heavyweights would meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday, 11 December.
The bout has been billed as the biggest heavyweight showdown in the United Kingdom’s recent boxing history, and the excitement surrounding it has been palpable among fans and pundits alike. Nevertheless, the atmosphere turned uncertain on Saturday when Fury suggested that Joshua’s camp might be looking to back out. In response to the question about the odds of the fight proceeding, Fury said: "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 almost forty professional bouts and has been at the top of the sport for more than a decade.
"I’ve fought every champion, every title, but every time it comes to fighting Joshua… it never happens," he added, before asking, "Has anyone ever asked themselves why?" The announcement that the fight would be staged in Cardiff listed Saudi financier Turki Al‑Alshikh’s The Ring and UFC president Dana White as the promoters. Eddie Hearn, who handles Joshua’s promotional affairs, has publicly disputed White’s involvement, insisting that an American promoter cannot take part in the arrangement. White, speaking after Johnny Fisher’s victory at the Copper Box, defended his role. He said, "I’m involved in the fight.
If Eddie Hearn really cared about this fight, it would have happened a long time ago. Number one, he could finance the thing himself. I’ve said this a million times… sell tickets, cut a TV deal and sell the fight." However, White later expressed doubt about whether the bout will even take place, stating, "I don’t know.
The guy who’s supposed to be helping the fight has been hurting the fight the entire time. He hasn’t done the fight any favours, let’s put it that way. We’ll all know more in the next three or four days." Fury also revealed that his original plan was to stage the encounter in Croke Park, Dublin.
He explained that he had signed a contract to fight in Ireland because he wanted the historic venue, which has hosted only two boxing matches in its 142‑year existence, to be the setting for the showdown. "If I had stuck to my contract, this fight wouldn’t have happened, would it? There’s nothing I haven’t agreed to, nothing.
I’ll even tie concrete blocks to my boots to make this fight happen. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make this fight happen," he declared.
Despite his earlier scepticism, Fury concluded the interview on a more optimistic note, acknowledging that the signed contracts and the fact that the parties have already been paid suggest the fight is likely to proceed. "I do think it’ll happen because from what I’m hearing they’ve been paid already. So the fight’s got to happen.
Not unless Joshua wants to give the dough back, which I can’t see them wanting to do that," Fury said. The situation remains fluid. While Fury’s one‑percent estimate underscores his frustration with the negotiations, the financial commitments already in place, the involvement of high‑profile promoters, and the looming December date all point toward a possible resolution.
Fans continue to watch closely, hoping that the long‑awaited British heavyweight clash will finally materialise in Cardiff, delivering the historic showdown that has been teased for months.