Silke Mayr Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua insists a fight with Tyson Fury “must happen this year” as he plans his next bout.
Years of Speculation About a Rivalry
For years, fans have anticipated a fight between Joshua and Fury, two prominent British heavyweights. Despite the hype, the matchup has never materialized.
Now, with both fighters rebounding from recent world title losses, Joshua has made it clear Fury is his preferred next opponent.
“As a boxing fan, I want this fight,” Joshua said. “When I train, everyone keeps asking about it. I’m not staying in the sport for long. I want to leave boxing with a bang and make a real impact.”
Joshua emphasized the urgency of the fight. “People keep asking me the same question. It’s my responsibility to make it happen. This fight has to take place this year,” he said. “I truly believe we can make it happen.”
Discussions Still Pending
Joshua spoke at the Ring Magazine awards in London, an event also attended by Oleksandr Usyk. However, he admitted no formal discussions with Fury’s team had started.
Both fighters are coming off defeats. Fury lost to unified world champion Usyk in December, while Joshua was stopped by IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois in September.
Chris Eubank Jr also attended the event, alongside rival Conor Benn. Their fight has been in talks since Benn’s anti-doping ban ended in November.
While purse splits remain a sticking point, Eubank Jr expressed confidence. “That fight is happening,” he stated. “Negotiations are going well, and we’re finalizing details. Big announcements are coming soon.”
This year could be pivotal for British boxing if both marquee matchups finally come to life.