Fury Trying To Close Joshua Fight By Calling For Trilogy Bout Instead

Tyson Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) threatened to torpedo the Anthony Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) bout as he said he instead wants to move toward a trilogy fight involving an old rival.

“I’m now looking for a new opponent,” Fury said on Sunday.

The 38-year-old’s comment is another twist to the public and dramatic negotiations between himself and fellow former heavyweight champion, Joshua.

They had reportedly agreed to terms for a November 20 fight but the location proved a sticking point with Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, preferring a UK venue. Organizers, including Netflix, wanted to move the event to New York City to maximize the television audience it could capture. Hearn said recently that he presented terms to organizers under which he and Joshua would agree to a New York fight.

Fury and Joshua have been linked with a fight against one another for a decade. Frank Warren, who has worked with Fury for years, said if delays continue, the fighter would compete on November 20 but perhaps against an alternative opponent. On September 6, Fury named that opponent — Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs), the former undisputed heavyweight champion.

“The ball is now in your court, Oleksandr,” Fury said. “Do you want to fight me this year, 2026, or are you calling it quits?”

Usyk is unlikely to be available in November as he is targeting a fight against Deontay Wilder.

Usyk, who has helped train Joshua, could turn his attention back to Fury after the prospective Wilder fight in March, but has already beaten him twice in 2024 (by split decision in May and then unanimous decision in the December rematch).