Anthony Joshua responds to Tyson Fury’s challenge as long-awaited fight edges closer

Anthony Joshua remained coy over fighting Tyson Fury despite his heavyweight rival’s challenge, but admits the long-awaited fight “probably” happens next.

The former world champions have been linked for years with speculation surrounding a deal materialising during Fury’s comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fury emerged victorious in a wide points victory over the Russian, with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alashikh hinting that a “surprise” announcement would be made later in the evening to confirm “the biggest fight in the history of England.

• Fury vs Makhmudov LIVE: Fight results and reaction from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Fury then goaded Joshua, who was sitting ringside, alongside his promoter Eddie Hearn.

“I want to give you all the fight you wanted,” Fury said. “I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua, let’s give the fans what they want. The battle of Britain, my challenge, I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me next. Do you accept my challenge?”

But Joshua remained unnerved, refusing to commit or agree to Fury’s terms ringside.

Tyson Fury celebrates victory (Getty Images for Netflix)

“Tyson, you are a clout chaser,” Joshua responded. “I've never had a problem getting in the ring with you. I punched you when we were kids.

“After watching you tonight, I'd do it again. I'll see you in that ring in due time. You won't tell me what to do. When you're ready, you tell me your conditions, and I'll tell you when I'm ready. I'm the landlord, remember that, you work for me.”

Joshua did concede that the fight is likely to be next, despite discussion surrounding a warm-up bout, following a fatal car accident in Nigeria earlier this year, which killed two of his closest friends.

Fury went the distance with Makhmudov but was always a step or two ahead (Getty)

“I’ll be honest, the negotiations you go through, I’ve sat in there many times, there’s no problem, it’s what I do,” Joshua added. “I’m not here for clout, I’m here to fight. Contracts will be sent over, but you’ll probably see us in the ring next, more than likely.

“He's the one who retired. I've stayed in the ring; it's on him, he disappears, comes back, disappears. I'm not here to chase fame, I'm a real person. I'll fight him or the next person. I'm in the big fights, I make the big fights, that's what I told him.

Joshua (right) with Saudi boxing matchmaker Turki Alalshikh (Getty Images for Netflix)

“That could be a warm-up fight, after what I saw tonight, I was in a serious incident, so I need to check out. There’s real stuff happening in my life. I’m not ducking anyone. I have to attend to, once I’m 100 percent, I’ll fight. I run the game, you know I run the game. I’m a serious fighter, I’m very strong, when I hit Fury, I’m going to hurt him.”

“I’m sorting some things out with my brothers; the brotherhood is taking care of things. Tyson Fury, if he’s serious, you’ll see us in the ring. The ball is in his court. We’ve been here a million times, once my signature is on the paper, it’s a fight. There’s no fight right now, I’ve been here three or four times with Wilder and Fury. It’s boring to me, for you at home it’s exciting.

“I don’t think he’ll be able to cope with me. It’d be hard work for him. I don’t want to talk too much.”

Anthony Joshua ringside for the Fury vs Makhmudov undercard (Getty Images for Netflix)

Fury boxed earlier in the evening in his first fight since December 2024, when he was outpointed by Oleksandr Usyk for the second time in a row, and the win over Makhmudov moved him closer to a long-awaited duel with Joshua.

Four months ago, when "AJ" knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, there was renewed confidence that Joshua would face compatriot Fury in 2026 – in a generational battle of former heavyweight champions.

But 10 days after beating Paul, Joshua was injured in a car crash in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of two of his teammates.

(PA)

Although the accident seemed to leave Joshua's fighting future up in the air, he soon returned to the gym, and his promoter Hearn talked up a summer return for the 36-year-old.

That bout was expected to be a warm-up for a possible showdown with Fury, 37, but with the pair facing off on Saturday, many fans will hope that the bout will be next for each boxer.