Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Rivalry Explained: Why Were the Duo Never Able to Square Up in the Ring?

While Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will both battle different opponents in Riyadh, fans are disappointed yet again. Talks about fights between the two titans have been brewing for years now.

However, the duo never met in the ring owing to various factors, including disagreements over terms, mandatory challengers, and contractual obligations with different boxing organizations.

Born out of a shared ambition for unification, their rivalry has blossomed into one of the most compelling storylines in modern sports history. They both hold important heavyweight titles and are competing to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. In addition, their rivalry is fueled by national pride, with Joshua representing England and Fury representing Northern Ireland. Let us take a detailed look at what stopped the two rivals from battling it out in the ring.

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Why did the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury fight never materialize?

In 2022, during the intense negotiations between Fury and Joshua for the much-anticipated Battle of Britain heavyweight world title fight, drama unfolded with Fury setting multiple deadlines. Though Joshua initially agreed to a December showdown in Cardiff, he missed Fury’s crucial deadline. This prompted Fury to call off the fight.

After broadcasters BT, DAZN, and ESPN finalized their plans, Fury, however, extended the deadline by two weeks but to no effect. Come 2023, Fury’s relentless determination was evident as he proposed the fight via social media, despite setbacks with Oleksandr Usyk‘s unavailability.

Fury adapted to his plans, offering Joshua a fight in September after Usyk’s discussions stalled. Joshua, however, planned a low-key August return, followed by a high-stakes bout with Deontay Wilder in December.

This led to Fury exploring alternative matchups and expressing interest in facing fighters like Jon Jones due to the money factor. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, who highlighted funds for an all-British Joshua-Fury fight, was not happy with the decision. The boxing world now eagerly anticipates the resolution of this gripping saga.

Why have fans desperately waited for a showdown between the two?

The highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight generated significant excitement due to several key factors. Firstly, it promised the rare unification of heavyweight titles, determining an undisputed champion, a rarity in boxing. Secondly, the clash of Fury’s elusive style with Joshua’s powerful technique created anticipation for the unpredictable match dynamics. Both fighters had a massive global fanbase, enhancing the fight’s international appeal. Their charismatic personalities, verbal sparring, and trash talk intensified the drama.

Additionally, the historical significance of an undisputed heavyweight championship bout elevated the event. A victory for either Fury or Joshua would solidify their legacy as heavyweight greats. These elements made the bout one of the most eagerly anticipated in recent boxing history, captivating audiences worldwide.

Heavyweight champions Fury and Usyk are now slated to battle it out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The parallel negotiations involving Joshua and Wilder heighten the anticipation surrounding this bout. This is most likely the closest we come to seeing the two fighters fighting on the same day, in the ring.

British boxing reporter, Gareth A. Davies, clarified to Boxing Social the details regarding an apparent agreement heavyweight superstars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua made “behind-the-scenes” regarding a mega fight for later this year.

Fury and Joshua have been linked with one another since before they even turned professional, as word spread throughout boxing‘s industry in Britain that the country and two giant fighters capable of taking the combat world by storm.

While half that proved prescient, with both fighters winning various portions of the heavyweight championships, commanding A-side attention in some of the most meaningful match-ups in the modern era, they have yet to deliver the one fight fans wanted to see them in most — one against each other.

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This year, though, may be different.

“I said it was ‘Signed’,” Davies told us, “and then I quickly resolved that into agreed behind the scenes which everyone knows they’ve agreed to fight this year.

“It’s an open secret in boxing that those two guys want to fight each other.”

“I clarified the word signed within a minute but people have taken it to mean, I know something they didn’t know. And then it’s a new story.”

He continued: “Stories I’ve written recently … because on The Telegraph, about Frank Warren and Sela, the headline was very strong — Dana White trying to put British promoters into extinction, which, if you read the piece it doesn’t actually say that, it’s challenging their standing in boxing and he’s doing it openly in boxing.

“I think people jump on things very quickly and it spreads like wildfire.”

Boxing Social asked Davies about his relationship with Fury, and being with him in Thailand during his training camp for his upcoming fight April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov on Netflix.

“I’ve known [Fury] nearly 20 years … he’s a fascinating character, there’s a relationship there, of sorts, which is a long-standing thing,” he said. “Outside the interview, he seemed on amazing form. It was great to talk about him to his team, and find out he’s sleeping on a boat in the harbor. He’s in the best place mentally I’ve seen him for a very long time.

“He’s admitting he’s getting old in boxing terms … an obsession and an addiction, probably only three fights left — maximum. And against Makhmudov he has to prove he still has it in his legs [against someone] who still does present problems if he’s not on top of his game.”

Davies finished: “If Tyson is anything like as good as he was against [Oleksandr] Usyk I think he should dismantle and stop Makhmudov, or outbox him.”