Tyson Fury has signaled that his long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua is effectively off. In a series of social media updates, the 38-year-old fighter expressed deep frustration over the ongoing negotiations, claiming that Joshua’s persistent indecision regarding the date and venue has made the bout increasingly unlikely.
The two camps had been in discussions for a high-profile meeting, with Madison Square Garden in New York widely tipped as the preferred location. However, the choice of a US venue faced significant criticism from British supporters, while Joshua’s team reportedly favored a return to Wembley Stadium. Fury, known as the “Gypsy King,” has grown impatient with the lack of a finalized agreement, recently labeling his opponent a “coward” for the delays.
In an expletive-laden video posted to Instagram on Sunday, Fury formally shifted his focus toward a potential trilogy fight with Oleksandr Usyk. Addressing the Ukrainian directly, Fury remarked, “This will only lead me to a fight with Oleksandr Usyk. Oleksandr, you’re his trainer and his sensei, and you know he is weak-minded and that he would never fight the Gypsy King, which you have had the guts to do twice.”
Fury acknowledged Usyk’s previous victories, stating, “You got the decisions last time, fair play to you. Good luck to you; let’s do it again. Let’s run it back in November.” Currently, Joshua has been training with Usyk’s team, a connection Fury highlighted while questioning Joshua’s commitment to their potential bout.
Directing a final challenge to his rival, Fury added, “The ball is now in your court. Do you want to fight me this year, 2026, or are you calling it quits? Let me know because I am now looking for a new opponent.” Fury has suffered two previous defeats to Usyk, who remains a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, and is now seeking to secure a replacement opponent if the Joshua fight remains stalled.
