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Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury issued a challenge to fellow former champion Anthony Joshua. This occurred immediately after Fury's victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday night (April 11). The Gypsy King triumphed over Arslanbek Makhmudov in a 12-round bout. The challenge was widely expected even before Fury stepped into the ring against Makhmudov. Promoter Turki Alalshikh had hinted earlier during the Netflix broadcast of the fight that he would announce “the biggest fight in British boxing history.”
Everything was set in motion when Fury announced his return in early January, having retired in 2025 after his two losses to Oleksandr Usyk the previous year. The initial plan was for both boxers to have tune-up fights. For Joshua, this was supposed to be a bout with kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven. However, in December 2025, weeks after his knockout win over Jake Paul, Joshua was involved in a car accident – a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two close friends. Following this, all discussions about “AJ’s” future were postponed. Instead, Usyk signed a contract for a match with Verhoeven.
Joshua watched intently from his ringside seat. After being declared the winner, Fury looked over the ropes, and he and Joshua shook hands. Fury invited Joshua into the ring, but “AJ” declined, saying: “This is your night.”
Soon after, the ringside interviewer asked Alalshikh about his big announcement. “It’s time,” Alalshikh said, calling over promoters Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions and Eddie Hearn of Matchroom. “Tyson, he’s next,” Alalshikh added, pointing towards Joshua.
Fury quickly grabbed the microphone. After a few thank yous, he moved on to the inevitable challenge.
“Sixteen months out of the ring and we’re filling Tottenham’s stadium again,” Fury declared. “But as I said, let me deal with Arslanbek Makhmudov first, and then we’ll talk about the next one. Now I want to give you the fight everyone is waiting for. I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let’s give the fans what they want. The Battle of Britain. And here’s my challenge. I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me, the Gypsy King. Do you accept?”
Joshua simply stared ahead, offering no reaction.
Joshua continued to watch silently. Then a microphone was handed to him.
“Tyson, you’re a glory seeker,” Joshua said from his ringside seat. “Tyson, I’ve never had a problem getting in the ring with you. I beat you up when we were kids, and after watching you tonight, I’ll beat you up again. With all due respect, tonight is yours, and you know I’ll face you when the time is right. You won’t tell me what to do. I’ve been chasing you for the last 10 years. When you’re ready, come to me, tell me your terms, and I’ll get you in the ring when I’m ready. I’m the boss. You work for me. I’m the landlord. Remember that. You work for me.”
The microphone returned to Fury in the ring.
“Listen, let’s give the fans what they want,” Fury retorted. “We’ve been waiting ten years for this, let’s dance.”
A few minutes later, Joshua was in the ring with an interviewer, explaining why he hadn't immediately accepted the fight.
“I’ll be completely honest: there are negotiations that need to happen,” he said. “I’ve sat at that table with him many times. In my heart, I would fight Tyson Fury tomorrow, especially after what I saw. I have no problem fighting. That’s what I do. I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘Yes, I’ll fight him.’ I’m not here to chase glory around the fight. Contracts will be sent. We’ll go through all the details, and most likely, you’ll see us in the ring after that. But I’m not here to get in the ring and shout in someone’s face. If you look at my career, I’ve never done that. I’m not here for glory. I watched the fight. I saw what I saw, and I know what I need to do when I get him in the ring.”
The Netflix interviewer noted that this potential heavyweight clash between the two giants has been anticipated for years.
“Exactly,” Joshua agreed. “Look, he’s the one who retired. I’m in the game. I’ve never retired. I’ve stood firm for the last 13 years. It’s all up to him. He disappears, comes back, disappears, comes back. I’m here constantly. That’s why I’m not chasing glory or hype. I’m real. I’ll fight anyone in front of me, whether it’s him or someone else. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m always in big fights. That’s my style. I make the big fights. That’s why I said he works for me. I had a serious incident about four months ago, so I really need to check what’s happening with my return to the ring. But I’m here. I’m following the game closely. Very real things are happening in my life.”
“I’ve been through this three or four times [in negotiations] with [Deontay] Wilder and Fury. It’s boring to me. For people at home, it’s exciting. I’ve been here many times. But no problem. I like his boxing style. I think he’s good, but I don’t think he’ll be able to handle me. It will be difficult for him,” AJ concluded.
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