Tyson Fury has recently voiced his skepticism about the likelihood of a bout with Anthony Joshua, putting the odds at a mere one per cent. The backdrop to his comments is the long‑awaited confirmation that the two British heavyweights are slated to clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, December 11. After months of drawn‑out negotiations aimed at delivering what would be the biggest heavyweight contest in British boxing history, the fight finally seemed to have a firm date and venue.
However, on Saturday Fury cast doubt on the solidity of that agreement, suggesting that Joshua might be backing out and that the chances of the highly anticipated showdown actually materialising are vanishingly small. In a candid interview on his YouTube channel, Furocity, Fury was asked to quantify the probability of the fight happening. He answered bluntly: “One per cent.” He went on to explain his reasoning, pointing out the fundamental problem of having one fighter eager to step into the ring while the other appears reluctant.
“If you’ve got a guy that wants to fight, yeah, and you’ve got a guy that doesn’t want to fight, then how are you going to make that fight happen?” he asked rhetorically. Fury reflected on his own extensive career – nearly 40 professional bouts and more than a decade at the top of the sport – noting that he has faced countless champions and fought for every major title in boxing. Yet, every time the conversation turns to a match with Joshua, “it never happens,” he lamented, adding a note of frustration about the repeated dead‑ends. The announcement that finally set the date for the Fury‑Joshua clash also revealed the involvement of Saudi financier Turki Al‑Alshikh’s promotion company, The Ring, alongside UFC boss Dana White.
This partnership has been contentious, especially with Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, publicly stating that an American promoter should not be part of the arrangement. After Johnny Fisher’s victory at the Copper Box, White addressed the situation, asserting his personal involvement: “I’m involved in the fight.” He criticised Hearn, saying that if the latter truly cared about making the bout happen, it would have been secured long ago and that Hearn could simply finance the event himself.
White reiterated his point repeatedly, suggesting that the fight could be sold through ticket sales and a television deal. Despite White’s confidence, he later admitted uncertainty about whether the fight will actually occur. “I don’t know,” he said, noting that the individual who is supposed to be facilitating the bout has, in his view, been obstructing it. He hinted that more clarity would emerge in the next few days, leaving fans in a state of suspense.
Fury also disclosed that his original plan was to hold the fight in Ireland, specifically at Croke Park. He highlighted that Croke Park has a very limited boxing history, having hosted only two matches in its 142‑year existence. Fury claimed he had signed a contract to stage the fight there, saying, “In the beginning, I signed the contract to do the fight in Ireland, in Croke Park, because that’s where I wanted to do the fight.” He suggested that if he had stuck to that original agreement, the current complications might have been avoided. Fury emphasized his willingness to do whatever it takes to see the bout happen, even joking that he would “tie concrete blocks to my boots” to ensure the fight proceeds.
Despite his earlier doubts, Fury concluded the interview on a slightly more optimistic note, acknowledging that the contracts already signed could compel the fight to go ahead. He noted that the promoters have reportedly already received payment, implying that the financial obligations make the cancellation unlikely. “I do think it’ll happen,” he said. “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.” The saga surrounding the Fury‑Joshua showdown encapsulates the complexities of modern heavyweight boxing, where promoter politics, financing, and venue negotiations can be as contentious as the fights themselves. While fans eagerly await a definitive answer, the statements from both fighters and promoters suggest that the final outcome may hinge on contractual obligations, financial incentives, and perhaps a final decision from Joshua’s camp.
Until then, the one‑per‑cent probability quoted by Fury remains a stark reminder of how fragile even the most high‑profile matchups can be.