British Heavyweight boxer, Tyson Fury hasn’t given up on the possibility of fighting Anthony Joshua, despite his unanimous decision defeat to the undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, in Saudi Arabia.
This loss marked a significant moment in Tyson Fury’s career, as all three judges scored the contest 116-112 in favour of Usyk, leading Fury to express his frustrations, claiming to have been “robbed” and dramatically leaving the ring after the fight.
The proposed clash between Fury and Joshua is being touted as a monumental event, with AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn declaring it “the biggest fight in British boxing history.”
The financial implications are equally grand, with estimates suggesting that the fight could rake in approximately £250 million through pay-per-view and box office sales.
“It’s what people will want to see. The Fury-Joshua fight is a big fight, and if it happens, it will be a mega fight. But it will only happen if Tyson wants to do it,” Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, told The Sun.
Also, Hearn has emphasized the worldwide appeal of such a fight, stating, “Everyone will always want to see it. For me, AJ against Fury is the fight that will take place at Wembley. It will be a global event,” as quoted by Marca.
In light of his recent defeat, Fury’s emotional state has come across as turbulent. Not only did he express deep dissatisfaction with the fight’s outcome, but he also criticized the choice of Saudi Arabia as the venue, suggesting that “You get nothing in these countries,” according to newly surfaced footage from TNT Sports that depicted Fury walking around the Kingdom Arena post-fight.
In an interesting twist, Usyk, who has faced both heavyweight titans, voiced his support for Joshua should the two ever meet in the ring. When asked about the potential showdown, Usyk noted, “Maybe Anthony Joshua. Maybe on points,” indicating he believes Joshua could outmanoeuvre Fury based on his own experience against both fighters.
This claim comes after Usyk first snatched the unified heavyweight titles from Joshua in 2021 before defending them in a rematch and ultimately achieving his undisputed status against Fury earlier this year.
As the heavyweight landscape continues to evolve, IBF champion Daniel Dubois is slated to defend his title against Joseph Parker on February 22, which may pave the way for the long-anticipated Fury vs. Joshua showdown, albeit without the prospect of crowning an undisputed champion.
Anthony Joshua, now 34 years old, is still dealing with the aftermath of his fourth professional loss, which he suffered against Dubois at Wembley Stadium. His manager Hearn has remarked, “Yeah, he is hurting. He took a pasting at times in that fight, and I think he has got his back up, and he wants to come back stronger.”
Despite the recent struggles faced by both fighters, the potential match remains one of boxing’s most eagerly awaited events. Reports are indicating that Fury has communicated to friends, “This is not over,” a statement that underscores his desire to continue competing at the highest level and solidify his legacy in the sport.
