Fury’s Return and Demand

Following a dominant performance against Arslanbek Makhmudov at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tyson Fury is wasting no time setting his sights on his long-time rival, Anthony Joshua. The former heavyweight champion secured a one-sided unanimous decision victory after a 16-month hiatus, marking his return to form after his fifth career retirement. Despite Joshua being present at ringside, the anticipated face-off failed to happen, much to Fury’s visible frustration.


The Ultimatum

Fury, who is now 37, expressed deep annoyance at the continuous delays surrounding a potential showdown with Joshua. During his post-fight press conference, he stated:


«If it ain’t Anthony Joshua next, I’m not interested in boxing. I’ll eat a thousand Easter eggs, go up to 35 stone — I’m out. It’s either him or I’m gone again. I don’t care about rankings, I don’t care about belts. I only care now about AJ.»

Fury dismissed the idea of facing other emerging heavyweight contenders, such as Daniel Dubois or Moses Itauma, insisting that the only fights he is interested in are against Joshua or a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.


Contractual Standoff

The Gypsy King claims that a contract for a 2026 clash with Joshua has already been signed from his side. This position is supported by his promoter, Frank Warren, who maintains that Joshua is the only obstacle preventing the fight from proceeding. Fury emphasized that he is not concerned with the financial specifics or purse splits, stating he simply wants to secure the fight while both athletes are still in their prime.


Reflecting on a Comeback

Despite a slow start, Fury showcased a vintage performance, outlanding Makhmudov 199 to 51 in total punches. He reflected on the mental challenge of returning to the sport after being away for over a year and facing skepticism regarding his age and conditioning:


  • Overcoming a 16-month layoff.
  • Proving critics wrong regarding his speed and footwork.
  • Completing the full 12 rounds successfully.

Addressing the missed opportunity to face off in the ring, Fury concluded: «He came ringside to make a fight, and yeah, if it was me, I would’ve jumped straight in that ring, faced off, let’s get it on. Ten years in the making, and still, after all this time, there is still uncertainty about if this fight is going to happen next.»