Tyson Fury is convinced his side has done all they can do to make an Anthony Joshua fight happen, and that includes some help from UFC CEO Dana White.
This past week, Fury has had plenty to say about his fellow British boxing star, who has been tied to a bout with Fury for the better part of a decade. The matchup finally appears to be coming to fruition, with Saudi Arabian promoter Turki Alalshikh’s The Ring magazine reporting that after Fury and Joshua competed in a pair of tune-up fights, they would be booked to fight sometime in 2026.
Those fights have come and gone, with Fury defeating Mariusz Wach in a forgettable contest, and Joshua surviving some hairy moments in a win over Kristian Prenga, but it’s unclear how close Fury vs. Joshua is to actually becoming official. Fury has accused Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn of putting off signing a contract, and said Thursday he’s moving on from the fight.
On Friday, he sounded more optimistic, thanking White for his involvement.
“Before I forget, I’d just like to thank Dana White for making this fight happen, making this deal happen with Netflix and getting it all over the line,” Fury said on Instagram Stories. “You did an amazing job. Even if Eddie’s a little jealous f*cker and hasn’t got the guts to come out and say he had nothing to do with it, I’m a man and I can give another man respect for doing something great that Eddie and all these men tried to do for years and could never do, so thank you very much, Dana, you’re an absolute legend.
“One of the best promoters in the world, in my opinion, and all-around top guy, and I can’t wait to see you at the press conference on special invitation from ‘The Gypsy King’ and yeah, would love to have a beer with you one of the days, brother.”
Fury claims one point of contention is that it’s Hearn’s team who are making demands, including insisting the bout take place at Wembley Stadium in London as has been long rumored. For his part, Fury has been pushing the possibility of the fight happening at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Without any concrete updates, Fury is left to continue his public campaigning.
“Still no fight, here we are,” Fury said. “Still running scared, still cowards, and Eddie’s still trying to talk bullshit. I’ve not asked the Saudis for anything. I’ve not said I want more money. I’ve not said anything. They’ve asked me would I move the fight 10 times. I have a contract like they have a contract. If we both stick to our contracts, there would be no fight. That’s a fact. But Joshua would like that because he does not want to fight.
“Listen, it is what it is. You can’t make someone do something they do not want to do and are terrified of doing. I’ve not been begging Turki for more money and snooker deals and f*cking darts deals. I’ve not said a word. I wouldn’t even have the cheek to ask for more money. You have though, you’ve been begging, ‘Give us a few more million. We’ll suck your balls, we’ll do anything for a few more mil.’ You’re English, remember? You’ve got to come to America for a few more mil. Cowards.”
