Tyson Fury has expressed his desire to face Anthony Joshua in what would be a significant matchup between two former British heavyweight champions. This announcement comes ahead of Fury’s upcoming fight against Russian fighter Arslanbek Makhmudov in London.
At 37, Fury is returning to the ring for the fifth time after announcing his retirement. He will compete at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his sights set beyond just this bout. In a recent interview, he indicated that a victory over Makhmudov would pave the way for a clash with Joshua, signaling his eagerness for this long-anticipated fight.
Fury stated, “I’ve got Arslanbek Makhmudov to think of on Saturday night, but all going well, (Joshua is) the fight I want next.” He acknowledged Joshua’s recent performance against Jake Paul and remained confident about setting up a match with him soon after his own fight concludes.
Joshua, aged 36, last stepped into the ring in December, where he delivered a noteworthy sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in Miami. However, he faced a personal tragedy shortly afterward, as a car accident in Nigeria resulted in the loss of two close friends, leading to his hospitalization.
Adding to the intrigue, American former WBC champion Deontay Wilder has called out Joshua as well, seeking a long-awaited showdown after his recent victory over Derek Chisora. However, Fury dismissed the quality of that fight, referring to it as below par and expressing disappointment at the performance of both fighters.
Fury himself has not fought since his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024. As he prepares for this weekend’s contest, he continues to have a keen interest in potential future bouts, particularly with Joshua, highlighting the ongoing excitement surrounding the heavyweight boxing scene.