Is Tyson Fury coming out of retirement to fight Anthony Joshua for free?
A fight between English boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua might be in the works, but it would only happen under certain conditions.
Tyson Fury is 33, announced his retirement in April and has been enjoying his post-boxing life. Anthony Joshua, 32, is preparing a bout against Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usyk that will require him to box better than he ever has if he wants to win. They have no reason to ever cross their paths in a ring, as they never have so far, but this pair of English boxers still believe a matchup is possible.
Fury wants to fight Joshua if he wins, and for free
A packed Wembley Stadium, free tickets and free TV streaming rights, a boxing match like never before, possibly the biggest event the sport has seen in decades. That’s what “The Gipsy King” is proposing to Anthony Joshua, with just another condition: that he wins his fight against Usyk in September.
“That’s how the fight happens, I’ll sign the contract today,” Fury said on his Instagram, “The fight’s got to be for free. Free-to-air television and all tickets go for free. No money is to be made out of this historic British fight if it happens. There’s the terms, I’m in the driving seat, take it or effing leave it. The ball is in your court, guys. Either way, I don’t give a damn.”
Fury has had his share of big fights over the year, with his bouts against Deontay Wilder never to be forgotten, but his hunger has not diminished and it’s clear he wants to win against Joshua before riding into the sunset. “Anthony Joshua is an idiot and I’m going to knock him out! If he beats Usyk, he has to fight me for free in England, for the fans. Not for hundreds of millions abroad, let it be here in England,” he said before doubting Joshua would accept this deal: “He’s not going to want to do that, he’s going to want to travel abroad because he’s a businessman. And I don’t care about business.”
Joshua interested in the fight, but has to win against Usyk first
Joshua is focused on his fight against Usyk in Saudi Arabia, which he believes will be a great duel. “I think this is very important to inspire the next generation of boxing,” he said. “They need heroes, to see great fighters like Usyk and Joshua.” But he has not stopped thinking about Fury either.
When asked if a possible bout with Fury was any extra motivation to win against Usyk, Joshua had a clear answer: “It has to be. If I sat here and told you it’s not, I’d be lying to you, myself and the world. For the fans it’s a must-win fight, the man’s retired but who knows? Retirement doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to come back.”
Fury even offered his services as a coach for Joshua in preparation for his fight against Usyk, which AJ declined. If Joshua wins against the Ukrainian, the boxing world might need to get ready for a fight like no other.