Anthony Joshua has confirmed nothing is signed to fight Tyson Fury and put their long-awaited mega-fight on ice as he spoke out about the death of his two friends in their fatal car crash in Nigeria.
But broadcasters Netflix say ‘it’s happening’ and claim they already have the TV rights to show a Fury-Joshua showdown this autumn.
Joshua and Fury look primed to finally meet in the ring in the all-British fight the boxing world is waiting on but despite the efforts and teasing of Turki Alalshikh a deal is not yet confirmed.
Fury, 37, used the end of his comeback fight victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov to call out Joshua to face him ‘next’. But the 36-year-old gave him short shrift.
‘I want to give you the fight you’ve all been waiting for,’ Fury said. ‘I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let’s give the fight fans what they want, the Battle of Britain. I want to fight you next, do you accept my challenge?’
Joshua, sat ringside, did not flinch nor initially answer. Fury followed up: ‘You’re a big s***house, do you want the fight or not?! There’s no running from me this time – 10 years in the making, let’s f***ing dance.’
That appeared to indicate Alalshikh’s boasts of a major announcement were inaccurate. But TV partners Netflix have since posted claiming: ‘It’s happening. Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua. This autumn, from the UK. LIVE only on Netflix.’
Joshua says he is ‘ducking no-one’ and instead is focused on repairing his life after the December car crash that killed his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Joshua was in the car in Nigeria and both he and promoter Eddie Hearn have spoken about the psychological impact on him.
‘I’m going to be completely honest. There’s a negotiation to go through,’ Joshua eventually said in a Netflix interview. ‘I’ve sat at this table many times. I’m not here to chase clout. Contracts will be sent over and I’ll more than likely be in the ring with him next.
‘He’s the one that retired. I’ve been in the game for 13 years, I’ve never retired. I make the big fights, that’s what I said to him. He works for me.
‘I know what my job is, there’s just real things going on in my life. I run the game, I’m a serious fighter and I’m very strong as well. When I hit Fury I’m gonna hurt him bad.
‘I have to take a minute and do what’s best for me. I’m sorting some things out for my brothers and their families.
‘I’ve been here a million times with him before. If I’m honest with you right now, until we’re in the ring there is no fight with him. I’ve been here three or four times before with Deontay Wilder and Fury.’
Alalshikh had teased that the Fury-Joshua fight would be announced on Saturday night but a deal remains some way from being done.
Joshua filmed Fury’s victory on his phone – ‘homework’ for their eventual meeting.
A dominant display from Fury after coming out of retirement for the fifth time was rewarded with scores of 120-108 120-108 119-109 from the judges.
Makhmudov was outclassed by Fury’s footwork, hand speed and ringcraft and the Canada-based Makhmudov’s plodding, upright style was tailor made for the former two-time world champion.
The rugged Makhmudov was tiring as early as the fourth round and his limitations made him an ideal opponent for Fury after 16 months of inactivity, providing tough rounds without ever threatening an upset.
There was no pomp and ceremony from the bear-wrestling Makhmudov as he marched straight into the ring to the sound of an air raid siren.
In contrast, Fury’s entrance for his Netflix debut began with ‘Blue Moon’ being played as a tribute to his late friend Ricky Hatton before he put on a show by dancing on stage while fireworks and flames went off around him.
There was a gulf in class in their skill levels with the one-paced Makhmudov showing strength in the clinches while proving an easy target, although he was absorbing the blows without being hurt.