Anthony Joshua faced boos from the crowd when he did not commit to a potential bout with Tyson Fury. Fury secured a clear victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in a lackluster fight on Saturday. Although Joshua was present at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he chose not to join Fury in the ring despite Fury’s public call-out for a showdown between them.
Expressing his desire for a much-anticipated showdown, Fury challenged Joshua directly, urging him to accept the battle of Britain. However, Joshua opted not to agree to the fight immediately, hinting at a possible interim bout before potentially confronting Fury later in the year.
In response, Joshua dismissed Fury’s call-out, labeling him a “clout chaser” and asserting his authority in determining the terms of any future fight. He emphasized that while he is open to facing Fury, there are negotiation processes to be followed before any official agreement can be made.
When questioned about the possibility of a warm-up fight beforehand, Joshua acknowledged the options available and hinted at assessing his readiness to return to the ring following a recent incident. He emphasized the need to address personal matters before committing to any future fights.
The anticipated clash between the two British boxers has been long overdue, with previous attempts at organizing a fight falling through. Despite a deal being on the table in 2021, Fury was redirected to face Deontay Wilder, while Joshua suffered a defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, losing his world titles in the process.
Both fighters had their setbacks in subsequent matches, with Fury experiencing a loss to Usyk in a rematch before announcing a brief retirement. However, a renewed agreement between Fury and Joshua promises a potential showdown after both boxers engage in warm-up fights.
Joshua’s return to the ring was delayed due to a tragic car accident in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul, further complicating the timeline for a potential clash with Fury.