Anthony Joshua faced backlash from fans for not committing to a potential showdown with Tyson Fury. Fury easily defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov in a lackluster fight, prompting him to call out Joshua for a highly anticipated British battle. Despite Fury’s challenge, Joshua opted not to confirm the fight, hinting at a possible interim match before potentially squaring off against Fury later this year.
During the post-fight exchange, Joshua dismissed Fury’s call-out, stating that he had no qualms about facing him and highlighting the need for proper negotiations. Joshua emphasized that he was not seeking attention but was focused on the actual fight. He acknowledged the possibility of a warm-up bout given his recent absence due to personal matters that required his attention.
The long-awaited clash between the two British fighters has been delayed multiple times, with various obstacles preventing their meeting in the ring. Despite initial plans in 2021, Fury was redirected to face Deontay Wilder, while Joshua suffered a title loss to Oleksandr Usyk. Previous encounters between the two were also hindered by unforeseen circumstances, including Joshua’s defeat and Fury’s subsequent retirement.
After a series of setbacks, a tentative agreement was reached for both Joshua and Fury to have preparatory fights before a potential autumn showdown. However, Joshua’s involvement in a tragic car accident in Nigeria further delayed his return to the ring, adding another layer of uncertainty to the much-anticipated matchup.
