Rita Odafe
Tyson Fury Open to Anthony Joshua Fight Despite Recent Loss
Tyson Fury, the British heavyweight champion, has not closed the door on a potential fight against Anthony Joshua, even after losing by unanimous decision to Oleksandr Usyk, the current heavyweight champion, in Saudi Arabia.
This defeat was pivotal in Fury’s career, where all judges scored the match 116-112 in favor of Usyk. Fury expressed his outrage after the bout, claiming he was “robbed” and left the ring in frustration.
The suggested match between Fury and Joshua is viewed as a historic event, with promoter Eddie Hearn calling it “the biggest fight in British boxing history.”
Financially, the encounter could be massive, with forecasts estimating it could generate around £250 million from pay-per-view and ticket sales.
“It’s something fans want to see. If Fury-Joshua happens, it’ll be enormous. It hinges on Tyson’s willingness,” Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, conveyed to The Sun.
Hearn also highlighted the global interest in this fight, stating, “Everybody wishes to see it. For me, AJ vs. Fury is destined for Wembley. It will be a worldwide spectacle,” as reported by Marca.
Fury’s recent loss has left him in an emotional turmoil. He expressed discontent with both the fight’s outcome and the choice of Saudi Arabia as the host location, implying “You get nothing in these countries,” as revealed in a newly released video from TNT Sports showing Fury post-fight at Kingdom Arena.
In an unexpected comment, Usyk, who has fought both of these heavyweight fighters, shared his endorsement for Joshua in a potential matchup against Fury, suggesting, “Maybe Anthony Joshua. Maybe on points,” hinting that Joshua could outstrategize Fury based on his experiences with both.
This perspective follows Usyk’s victory over Joshua in 2021, where he secured the unified heavyweight titles, and his subsequent title defense and win against Fury earlier this year.
As the heavyweight division shifts, IBF champion Daniel Dubois is set to defend his title against Joseph Parker on February 22, which could facilitate the long-awaited Fury vs. Joshua showdown, although it would not determine an undisputed champion.
At 34, Joshua is still dealing with the fallout from his fourth career defeat to Dubois at Wembley. His manager, Hearn, remarked, “He is hurt. He took some heavy hits in that fight, but he wants to come back stronger.”
Despite recent challenges for both fighters, the prospect of their match is one of boxing’s most anticipated events. Reports suggest that Fury has told friends, “This is not over,” signaling his determination to keep competing at a high level and secure his legacy in boxing.
