The highly anticipated all-English heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has hit a snag, according to Fury. Despite months of negotiations, Fury claimed that Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn are trying to pull out of the fight. Fury made the astonishing claim on Thursday, contradicting confirmation from Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh that the fight would take place on December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
The rivalry between Joshua and Fury has been marked by callouts and trash talk, but also by difficulties in finalizing a deal. Both fighters are former heavyweight world champions and the bout is considered the biggest in British boxing history. Fury attributed the potential withdrawal to Hearn's ego, stating that Hearn is making excuses and threatening to pull out. Fury expressed frustration, saying he is coming back to the UK to fight Joshua in front of his fans in Wales.
Recent events in the ring had also threatened to derail the fight. Joshua's tune-up bout in July against Kristian Prenga almost ended in disaster when he was knocked down twice in the first round. Although Joshua rallied to dispatch Prenga in the second round, the performance raised concerns about his readiness for the big fight. Fury, on the other hand, has had an unusual road to the fight, announcing his retirement after losing a rematch to Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury took a year out of the sport before beginning training in Thailand. In April, he came back with a sound victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Fury then decided to have an additional warm-up in July, boxing Mariusz Wach in Thailand in a non-TV bout, eventually stopping the veteran after seven rounds. Despite these preparations, Fury remains concerned about Joshua's commitment to the fight.
Turki Alalshikh had announced on Thursday that the details had been ironed out for the two foremost heavyweights of their generation to collide. However, Fury's claims have cast doubt on the fight's status. Alalshikh had been instrumental in brokering the deal and had reportedly found alternative opponents in case Joshua or Fury pulled out. Fury expressed hope that Joshua would honor the agreement and face him in the ring.
The potential withdrawal of Joshua and Hearn has sparked concerns about the fight's viability. If the fight is called off, it would be a significant blow to British boxing fans who have been eagerly anticipating the bout. Fury's claims have also raised questions about the relationship between Joshua and Hearn, as well as the challenges of negotiating high-profile fights.
The Joshua-Fury fight has been years in the making, with both fighters engaging in a long-running rivalry. Despite the challenges, fans remain optimistic that the fight will take place as scheduled. The two fighters have a history of exchanging verbal jabs, and the fight is expected to be a closely contested and highly entertaining bout.
Key points
- Tyson Fury claims Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn are trying to pull out of their December 11 fight.
- The fight's status is uncertain despite confirmation from Turki Alalshikh.
- Recent performances by both fighters have raised concerns about their readiness for the big bout.
