Tyson Fury is not hiding his frustration with Anthony Joshua after what he believes was a blown opportunity to build hype for one of boxing’s biggest possible fights.
Following Fury’s dominant win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in front of more than 60,000 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Fury attempted to ignite excitement for the long-awaited showdown with Joshua by calling him out live in the ring. Instead, Fury claims Joshua froze under the spotlight.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fury criticized Joshua for refusing to engage during the made-for-TV moment. “Turki Alalshikh wanted us to get in there and have a proper face-off,” Fury said. “Joshua bottled it at its biggest moment with the world watching. He choked.”
Joshua reportedly stayed seated ringside after Fury grabbed the microphone and challenged him directly. Fury added: “He didn’t say three words. He sat at ringside and didn’t do anything after 10 years of simmering on boil.”
The confrontation was expected to serve as the official launch point for a massive all-British heavyweight showdown later this year.
Fury: “Everyone Expects Me To Beat Him”
Fury also made it clear he believes a win over Joshua would do little for his own legacy. “Me beating Joshua doesn’t do anything for my career,” Fury said. “Everyone expects me to beat him anyway.”
Still, Fury promised a violent ending if the fight finally happens. “I’ll knock him out, for sure,” Fury said. “He doesn’t have a chin and I’ll bang him on it because I’m quicker than him and I’m a better boxer.”
The undefeated heavyweight star even mocked Joshua with one of his old nicknames: “I’ll put him back where he should be ‘Bambi On Ice.’”
Both Heavyweights Expected To Take Tune-Up Fights
Before the long-awaited clash becomes official, both fighters are expected to compete once more. Anthony Joshua is scheduled to face underdog Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Saudi Arabia.
The fight comes months after Joshua survived a serious car accident in Nigeria that reportedly claimed the lives of two of his friends. Meanwhile, Tyson Fury has teased his own tune-up fight in August.
Despite expectations that Fury vs. Joshua will finally happen later this year, Fury strangely hinted nothing is guaranteed. “Listen, I might get knocked out in my next fight in August,” Fury admitted. “So then it’s all over. One step at a time.”
For years, Fury vs. Joshua has remained the biggest unrealized fight in British boxing. Both former heavyweight champions have:
- Sold out stahttps://accounts.google.com/b/0/AddMailServicediums across the United Kingdom
- Headlined massive global events
- Captured multiple heavyweight world titles
Now, with both men reportedly under contract for the fight, boxing fans appear closer than ever to finally seeing the rivalry settled inside the ring.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
