Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua - 2020 OLD thread

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tyson Fury: 'Me and Anthony Joshua is still the biggest fight in boxing'

Though Eddie Hearn last week cooled talk about Anthony Joshua’s return, Tyson Fury – readying for his own comeback on April 11 against Arslenbek Makhmudov – has yet again voiced his desire to face Joshua in an all-British showdown.

The pair came closest to sharing a ring in 2021 when a fight between them would have been for all four heavyweight belts. It was supposed to take place in Saudi Arabia, reporters were told a date had been set, only for Deontay Wilder to trigger his contractual right for a third bout with Fury.

Joshua pluckily opted for a fight against Oleksandr Usyk instead. He would lose on points, fall short in the rematch and, after four straight victories, endure a humbling stoppage defeat to Daniel Dubois in 2024. He returned in December, knocking out Jake Paul in six rounds, before he was involved in a fatal car crash that took the lives of two of his closest friends.

He has recently been seen in Ukraine, training with Usyk, in scenes that triggered plenty of speculation that a comeback, and an eventual bout with Fury, is in the works.

"Of course, if it's a fight to be made, let's get it done. Let me get Makhmudov out the way, and we're on," Fury told Sky Sports when asked about Joshua.

“The biggest fight for me in world boxing and the biggest fight in the world of boxing is me versus AJ. Even today, even after all these years it's still the biggest fight in boxing, it's still the biggest fight."

There is arguably as many hurdles in the way as there has always been, however. Victory for Fury, 37, over Makhmudov is not guaranteed nor is Joshua fighting again, full stop. Eddie Hearn last week told BS that Joshua is training but no conversations about an actual contest have taken place.

"Good to see the guy back in training camp,” Fury said. “He's obviously had a bit of a tough time lately and all that. So I'll just give him space and whatever he wants to do, he can do.

"The biggest fight for me in world boxing and the biggest fight in the world of boxing is me versus AJ.

"Even today, even after all these years it's still the biggest fight in boxing, it's still the biggest fight."

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think Fury is a little delusional.

Sure, it's a big fight, but the biggest in boxing, no chance.

Both men's stock has fallen, Joshua's more, but Fury's endless 'retirements' and inactivity

It will be interesting to see how he looks in his next outing, I have a feeling he isn't going to look too great, age and inactivity don't do any fighters favours, and by his own admission Fury has had fairly poor habits when out of training.

I won't be surprised if Joshua never fights again in any case, I don't know the will be there after what happened to him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think Fury is a little delusional.

Sure, it's a big fight, but the biggest in boxing, no chance.

Both men's stock has fallen, Joshua's more, but Fury's endless 'retirements' and inactivity

It will be interesting to see how he looks in his next outing, I have a feeling he isn't going to look too great, age and inactivity don't do any fighters favours, and by his own admission Fury has had fairly poor habits when out of training.

I won't be surprised if Joshua never fights again in any case, I don't know the will be there after what happened to him.

Commercially it’s probably the biggest ain’t it? What else is there?

In terms of quality.. there are a lot more quality big fights.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think Fury is a little delusional.

Sure, it's a big fight, but the biggest in boxing, no chance.

Both men's stock has fallen, Joshua's more, but Fury's endless 'retirements' and inactivity

It will be interesting to see how he looks in his next outing, I have a feeling he isn't going to look too great, age and inactivity don't do any fighters favours, and by his own admission Fury has had fairly poor habits when out of training.

I won't be surprised if Joshua never fights again in any case, I don't know the will be there after what happened to him.

Commercially it’s probably the biggest ain’t it? What else is there?

In terms of quality.. there are a lot more quality big fights.

Is it though? I mean how many sales does it do around the world.

I could be wrong, but not convinced any longer this sells out wembley stadium, Joshua in particular has had his rep badly tarnished.

[mickey1975]

I think Fury is a little delusional.

Sure, it's a big fight, but the biggest in boxing, no chance.

Both men's stock has fallen, Joshua's more, but Fury's endless 'retirements' and inactivity

It will be interesting to see how he looks in his next outing, I have a feeling he isn't going to look too great, age and inactivity don't do any fighters favours, and by his own admission Fury has had fairly poor habits when out of training.

I won't be surprised if Joshua never fights again in any case, I don't know the will be there after what happened to him.

Commercially it’s probably the biggest ain’t it? What else is there?

In terms of quality.. there are a lot more quality big fights.

In the UK definitely. I’m not sure of its appeal elsewhere. I suppose it’s just the second best heavy in the world against a top 20ish guy, like the Mak fight to them.

[mickey1975]

I think Fury is a little delusional.

Sure, it's a big fight, but the biggest in boxing, no chance.

Both men's stock has fallen, Joshua's more, but Fury's endless 'retirements' and inactivity

It will be interesting to see how he looks in his next outing, I have a feeling he isn't going to look too great, age and inactivity don't do any fighters favours, and by his own admission Fury has had fairly poor habits when out of training.

I won't be surprised if Joshua never fights again in any case, I don't know the will be there after what happened to him.

Commercially it’s probably the biggest ain’t it? What else is there?

In terms of quality.. there are a lot more quality big fights.

Is it though? I mean how many sales does it do around the world.

I could be wrong, but not convinced any longer this sells out wembley stadium, Joshua in particular has had his rep badly tarnished.

It will do Wembley in record time.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Commercially it’s probably the biggest ain’t it? What else is there?

In terms of quality.. there are a lot more quality big fights.

Is it though? I mean how many sales does it do around the world.

I could be wrong, but not convinced any longer this sells out wembley stadium, Joshua in particular has had his rep badly tarnished.

It will do Wembley in record time.

Maybe.

I think Joshua may well be done in any case.

I guess I am not the target audience, but surely most of Joshua's army of fans will have deserted now after the latest KO defeat, which was pretty decisive.

Joshua looked really shot to shit mentally in the fight with Dubois, easily the worst I can ever recall him looking.

I don't think it's that massive a fight any more. It's come way way too late.

The difference with Floyd and Manny, for instance, was neither of them was perceived as being shot, and Floyd in particular was still seen as the best in the world.

[Ruthless-RKO]

speaking to Sky Sports, Bellew predicted that Joshua’s superior power may well see him come out on top against ‘The Gypsy King’ when they collide.

“I’ve always said it’s going to be AJ, I think styles make fights. But you have to go on the most recent performances and Fury’s only been defeated by the magnificent Oleksandr Usyk. This could come down to who lands first.

“You’ll have to edge towards Anthony Joshua because he’s the one with the destructive power of the two. It’s a genuine 50/50. You don’t know what you’re going to get. In all honesty, [it is about] who has got more left.”

[golden_labrador]

Commercially it’s probably the biggest ain’t it? What else is there?

In terms of quality.. there are a lot more quality big fights.

Is it though? I mean how many sales does it do around the world.

I could be wrong, but not convinced any longer this sells out wembley stadium, Joshua in particular has had his rep badly tarnished.

It will do Wembley in record time.

definitely. they are huge in every way. casuals (like me) love seeing the giants rumble

[Ruthless-RKO]

Promoter Says Fury Vs. Joshua Is A ‘Done Deal’

Kalle Sauerland has claimed that Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua is officially a “done deal” for later this year.

Sauerland—the co-president of Misfits Boxing—revealed that the bout is targeted for the autumn: AJ-Fury, I’ve heard it’s done for Dublin later this year. September or October. I think that will get announced pretty soon.”

The move to Dublin suggests a cross-promotional event, potentially tied to Katie Taylor’s long-awaited homecoming at Croke Park. Fury (34-2-1) is ending a brief retirement following two decision losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. He returns next week, April 11, against Arslanbek Makhmudov on Netflix.

Hearn Reacts

Joshua (29-4) is coming off a knockout win over Jake Paul in December. The team is focused on the traditional heavyweight path following his 2024 loss to Daniel Dubois. If Sauerland is correct, the official announcement for Fury vs. Joshua in Dublin could come as early as the post-fight press conference for Fury-Makhmudov. Despite this being the case, Hearn has shut it down.

“There is absolutely no agreement between AJ and Fury. There is no contract signed. There is no venue agreed. There is absolutely nothing. “We haven’t even got a proposed contract for a date, a venue, nothing. Just conversations about how we get to that fight,” Hearn said

[Frostieballs]

Kalle had a heavy weekend?

The fight will fill any stadium in London without any undercard.

Taylor will see well in Dublin on her own.

Why combine two big events that can stand alone?

[Cent0089]

6 years old thread, nice one

[jamesmcdonnell]

Kalle had a heavy weekend?

The fight will fill any stadium in London without any undercard.

Taylor will see well in Dublin on her own.

Why combine two big events that can stand alone?

Christ, apparently, he's only 48 I read - he looks about 60!

He was clearly off his tits in his latest interview, he was smacking his lips like a starving man at a free buffet.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Even though I'd want to see this fight, I am not paying a penny to see it.

It's 5 years past its sell-by date, and ideally should have happened when they were still on the up 10 years ago.

[Syntax Error]

Even though I'd want to see this fight, I am not paying a penny to see it.

It's 5 years past its sell-by date, and ideally should have happened when they were still on the up 10 years ago.

Same here, I will watch it, but, unless it's on a streaming service that I'm already paying for, I am not paying any extra to watch it.

[jamesmcdonnell]

The two of them have already made a mint, both are to blame for the fight not happening sooner, as they didn't want to risk their rep against the other. Now they are both pushing 40 and one of them, in fact both really, are semi retired

Neither man has been very active to say the least over the last 5 years.

Joshua has fought 8 times in 5 years
Fury 6 times.

I personally have serious doubts Joshua is ever seen in a ring again after what happened in Nigeria in any case.

Is he really going to want to risk his life again after cheating death?

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Croke Park could stage Fury v Joshua in September

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could fight at Croke Park in September, with talks under way to stage the long-awaited heavyweight bout in Dublin.

The event is being targeted for the 80,000-seat stadium - the iconic home of Gaelic games - but the bout depends on Fury winning his comeback fight on Saturday and Joshua not taking a warm-up this summer.

Fury takes on Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov in London this weekend while Joshua has only just returned to training after he was injured in a car accident in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Fury has not fought since December 2024 while Joshua's last bout was against Jake Paul last December.

Should Joshua decide to take a warm-up fight before meeting Fury, the event will be targeted for the end of the year - potentially in the UK.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Croke Park stadium chief executive Peter McKenna said a Fury-Joshua fight in Dublin could mean Katie Taylor finally realised her dream of fighting in the stadium.

"The real hope is that we will get Tyson Fury here later on in the year. That would be such a world-billing event that we would be able to facilitate a Katie Taylor fight here," he said.

"A lot of stars need to align. Katie's manager needs to agree, Katie's promoter needs to agree, Tyson Fury's promoter needs to agree.

"I am very confident that all three are coming to the sense that this is one of Ireland's greatest sporting athletes and it would be such a 'wow' to have her here and for her to finish her career here."

A super fight between the two Britons has long been mooted but talks have consistently broken down, mostly because of fight purse demands and broadcaster disputes.

The event in Dublin would happen with the backing of Saudi Arabia-owned production company Sela and influential promoter Turki Alalshikh, co-founder of Zuffa Boxing.

Speaking to BBC Sport on Wednesday, Fury said he wants to fight Joshua next but nothing concrete has been decided.

Irish superstar and two-weight undisputed champion Taylor, 39, has twice fought in Dublin but has been unable to secure a bout at Croke Park.

Upfront security costs have been an issue, but with the certainty that Fury and Joshua would sell out the stadium, that would not be expected to be a sticking point should Taylor fight on the card.

Taylor has already said her ambition is to hold a retirement fight in Dublin and bring an end to her illustrious career on home soil.

BBC Sport has asked Katie Taylor's team for comment.

[keithmoonhangover]

I think Fury is a little delusional.

Sure, it's a big fight, but the biggest in boxing, no chance.

Both men's stock has fallen, Joshua's more, but Fury's endless 'retirements' and inactivity

It will be interesting to see how he looks in his next outing, I have a feeling he isn't going to look too great, age and inactivity don't do any fighters favours, and by his own admission Fury has had fairly poor habits when out of training.

I won't be surprised if Joshua never fights again in any case, I don't know the will be there after what happened to him.

Which fight would you say is bigger?

[joshj909]

I think Fury is a little delusional.

Sure, it's a big fight, but the biggest in boxing, no chance.

Both men's stock has fallen, Joshua's more, but Fury's endless 'retirements' and inactivity

It will be interesting to see how he looks in his next outing, I have a feeling he isn't going to look too great, age and inactivity don't do any fighters favours, and by his own admission Fury has had fairly poor habits when out of training.

I won't be surprised if Joshua never fights again in any case, I don't know the will be there after what happened to him.

Which fight would you say is bigger?

In terms of ticket and PPV revenue, Canelo Vs Benavidez would surely make the most money of any possible fight these days.

[Syntax Error]

Anthony Joshua doesn't look like he wants to fight anybody right now.

It seems as if he's being pushed by people because he is a cash cow.

Joshua should be left to decide to do what he wants when he wants.

Fury of all people should respect this, I mean, their proposed fight hasn’t happened partly because he keeps retiring and unretiring every 3 - 4 days.

You could sense that Joshua was hacked off with the whole saga, as he alluded to the fact that Fury keeps arsing about with retirements, moving goalposts and ludicrous demands.

[MasterG]

AJ is finished. I really think phycologically his mind set is no where near a boxing ring. Losing friends as he has doesn't go away in 12 months, AJ will be mentally tortured for ever. Fury knows this and so does everyone else who has lost friends or family in tragic circumstances.

You just cannot drown out thoughts and feelings.
Easy night for Fury, I don't mean that by thinking Fury will knock him out. Imo, this is a win for Fury in a similar fight as we've just seen

If Fury wants some action, go fight Moses, now, there is the test for him.

[keithmoonhangover]

Anthony Joshua doesn't look like he wants to fight anybody right now.

It seems as if he's being pushed by people because he is a cash cow.

Joshua should be left to decide to do what he wants when he wants.

Fury of all people should respect this, I mean, their proposed fight hasn’t happened partly because he keeps retiring and unretiring every 3 - 4 days.

You could sense that Joshua was hacked off with the whole saga, as he alluded to the fact that Fury keeps arsing about with retirements, moving goalposts and ludicrous demands.

100% agree with you sir.

[Frostieballs]

I found last night unedifying to say the least.

Joshua clearly didn’t want to engage in all of that, but you’ve got Turki pointing at him like a madman and Fury - a supposed mental health advocate - calling him a shithouse and a dosser.

[tony1234]

I found last night unedifying to say the least.

Joshua clearly didn’t want to engage in all of that, but you’ve got Turki pointing at him like a madman and Fury - a supposed mental health advocate - calling him a shithouse and a dosser.

I thought it was horrible