WBA Blasted By Heavyweight Champ Over Fury-Joshua Fighting For A World Title

IBF heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs) has criticized the WBA for sanctioning Tyson Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) vs. Anthony Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) for its vacant ‘super’ heavyweight title, despite neither earning a title shot.

“I don’t know where and how they found a belt for that kind of fight,” Hrgovic said. “Who did they fight in their last fights? They are both big superstars, but how are they fighting for a title? … It’s not good for the sport.”

After making his ring return earlier this year after suffering back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury beat Arslanbek Makhmudov and the 46-year-old Mariusz Wach, both of whom are not even ranked in WBA’s top 15. Joshua, meanwhile, recorded stoppage victories over unranked opponents Jake Paul in December 2025 and Kristian Prenga on July 25, who dropped AJ twice in the opening round.

The WBA’s decision also comes with Murat Gassiev already holding its “regular” heavyweight championship. Jarrell Miller occupies the organization’s No. 1 ranking as Gassiev’s mandatory challenger, while Fury and Joshua are ranked second and third, respectively.

Hrgovic won the IBF championship by stopping previously unbeaten Moses Itauma in the ninth round on August 29.