Tyson Fury has threatened to abandon his proposed heavyweight bout with Anthony Joshua, indicating he may instead pursue a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk if the contest does not proceed. In an Instagram video, Fury stated the decision now rests with Joshua, asking him to confirm whether he intends to fight in 2026 or "calling quits." Fury claimed Joshua was stepping back from the deal, adding that the delay had led him to consider facing Usyk again, saying, "Let's run it back in November." Usyk, who has defeated Fury twice, currently holds the upper hand in their rivalry, while Joshua has been training with members of Usyk's team, deepening the intrigue around the potential matchups.
The fight between Fury and Joshua, both former world champions, has been discussed for months with a November showdown targeted, though no official confirmation or venue has been announced. Madison Square Garden in New York is a likely site, but Joshua's camp reportedly prefers Wembley Stadium in London. The financing and broadcast plans involve Saudi promotional company Sela and Netflix, both leaning toward a U.S. location. Fury, 38, previously called Joshua a "coward" over the lack of progress, and his latest comments have intensified doubts about whether the all-British clash will happen at all.
Fury's public ultimatum to Joshua contradicts his earlier complaints about the fight's delay being due to Joshua's reluctance, yet now frames the decision as Joshua's to make. This shift places the narrative burden on Joshua despite ongoing negotiations involving multiple parties over venue and broadcast. If the fight collapses, it will be unclear whether the cause was Joshua's stance, Fury's conditions, or external preferences of promoters and broadcasters.
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