Joshua rejects Fury’s fight challenge

Former heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has declined an immediate fight offer from rival, Tyson Fury, following Saturday night’s bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 

Fury had cruised to a comfortable victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in a one-sided contest that failed to ignite the crowd. With Joshua watching from ringside, the self-styled “Gypsy King” called out his long-time rival and urged him to step into the ring.

“I want you, AJ… Let’s give the fight fans what they want. The Battle of Britain. I challenge you, Andy Joshua, to fight me, the Gypsy King, next. You accept my challenge? Let him say yes or no. Come on, you big shithouse!” Fury declared.

Joshua, however, declined the invitation and did not enter the ring, drawing jeers from sections of the crowd. He later responded to Fury, saying, “Tyson… you’re a clout chaser. Tyson, I’ve never had no problem getting in the ring with you. I punched you out when we were kids, and after seeing you in the ring tonight, I’d punch you up again.

“With all due respect, tonight is your night and I will sit across the ring from you in due time. You ain’t gonna tell me what to do. I’ve been chasing you for the last 10 years. When you’re ready, you come and see me and tell me your terms and conditions. I’m the boss, you work for me. I’m the landlord, remember that, you work for me.”

Joshua insisted he remains open to the fight but stressed that proper negotiations must take place before any agreement is reached.

“There are negotiations that you go through. I have been at this table with him many times. In my heart, I’d fight Fury tomorrow, especially after watching that. There is not a problem fighting him.

“I am not here to get clout. I am here to fight. The contract will be sent over, we will go through the nitty gritty, and you will probably see us in the ring next, more than likely – but I am not here to get in the ring shouting in someone’s face. If you look at my track record, I have never done that. I came to watch the fight, I saw what I saw, and I know what I need to do,” he added.

When asked about a possible interim bout, Joshua added, “Good question. There are both options. We’ll see. I was in a serious incident maybe four months ago.

“I need to really check out what is going on with my return to the ring. But I’m here, keeping my eye on the game. I am not ducking anyone, there are just things in my life I need to tend to. I am sorting some things out. My brothers, their parents, the brotherhood of taking care of things. That is the priority right now.”

The confrontation highlights the long-simmering “Battle of Britain” rivalry between the two British heavyweights. Joshua has repeatedly expressed interest in the matchup over the past decade, while Fury has been vocal about his desire for the fight. But negotiations have repeatedly stalled over financial terms, promoters, and scheduling.