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Fury says fight with Joshua looks unlikely with venue yet to be agreed

Al Jazeera · 2026-08-21

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Tyson Fury has expressed doubts about his anticipated boxing match with Anthony Joshua, citing disagreements over financial terms and venue arrangements. • Why it matters: This potential fight is considered one of the most significant matchups in British boxing history, and its failure to materialize could impact the heavyweight boxing landscape. • What to watch next: Observers should monitor ongoing negotiations between Fury, Joshua, and their respective teams, as well as any developments regarding the fight's venue and financial agreements.

**Fury Says Fight with Joshua Looks Unlikely with Venue Yet to Be Agreed**

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has expressed doubts about the possibility of a highly anticipated boxing match against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua. In a recent series of statements, Fury indicated that the fight “doesn’t look like it’s going to happen,” largely due to disagreements over financial terms and venue arrangements.

The potential clash between Fury and Joshua, which many boxing fans consider one of the most significant matchups in British boxing history, was initially projected to take place in November. Both fighters had signed a contract with Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, which was expected to facilitate the bout. However, uncertainty surrounding the date and venue has cast a shadow over the event.

Fury criticized Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, for what he described as a “money-thirsty” attitude. In his remarks shared on social media, Fury accused Joshua of demanding a larger fight purse, despite having previously secured substantial financial deals with Alalshikh in various sports, including boxing, darts, and snooker. “They have already had that much money off Turki over the last few years… and yet, they have got the audacity to ask for more money,” Fury stated.

Reports suggest that while Joshua and Hearn are advocating for the fight to be held in the United Kingdom, the Saudi organizers are pushing for a venue in the United States, with Madison Square Garden in New York being a leading candidate. This disagreement over location has further complicated negotiations.

Fury, who is approaching his 38th birthday, has a professional record of 36 wins, with his only losses occurring in two bouts against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. He returned to the boxing ring in January after a brief retirement that followed his defeat to Usyk in December 2024, a match that was for three of the four major world titles.

The history of negotiations between Fury and Joshua has been fraught with challenges. In 2021, discussions for a potential fight fell apart when a US judge mandated that Fury face Deontay Wilder in a trilogy fight instead. The ongoing complications in reaching an agreement for this latest matchup have led Fury to suggest that he may pursue other opponents if the situation does not improve.

In his social media posts, Fury did not hold back in his criticism of Joshua, labeling him a “coward” for not stepping up to fight him. “But just know you never had the guts to fight Tyson Fury, ever,” he declared.

As the boxing community watches closely, the future of this potential showdown remains uncertain, with both fighters and their teams needing to resolve significant issues before a fight can be confirmed. The outcome of these negotiations will be pivotal not only for Fury and Joshua but also for the broader landscape of heavyweight boxing.

Source: Al Jazeera
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