In a video uploaded to the networks, Tyson Fury announced on Monday that his fight with Anthony Joshua would not finally take place. The British, WBC heavyweight world champion, accuses his compatriot of not having signed the contract on time.
He had warned and kept his word. After giving his opponent an ultimatum over the weekend, Tyson Fury announced that his fight with Anthony Joshua would not take place. The two boxers had agreed to stage “a Battle of Britain” on December 3, at a location to be determined. But the WBC heavyweight world champion had put pressure on Joshua by giving him until Monday at 5 pm to sign the contract. At first, he didn’t. In any case, this is what Fury says in a video posted in the early afternoon on the networks.
“It’s official, D-day has arrived and it’s over,” explains the 34-year-old Brit dressed in black marcel and a t-shirt slung over his shoulder. It is after 5:00 p.m., no contract has been signed. “It is officially over. for Joshua. Forget it. Moron. Coward! I always said you didn’t have the c… to fight the Gypsy King. Good luck in your career and in your life.”
A clash at the top between Fury and Usyk in 2023?
However, the day before, Joshua had stated that he was willing to accept Fury’s terms, two years his senior, notably being satisfied with 40% of the fight’s profits (vs. Fury’s 60%). “Of course I will sign a contract, but it is not in my hands, it is the legal team that takes care of it,” said Johua, who lost his WBA, IBF and WBO titles after being defeated twice by Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk.
If this clash fails, Fury now has a chance to find another opponent by the end of the year. The German Mahmoud Charr has offered himself. Whatever happens, the Gypsy King will have to wait until 2023 before he can face Usyk, in hopes of becoming the undisputed world heavyweight champion.