Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua look set to finally go head-to-head later this year in one of the biggest bouts in recent memory.
The heavyweight division has been full of drama in 2022 and we could be set for a huge blockbuster clash to round off the year.
Fury and Joshua nearly faced off last summer but various factors scuppered their all-British showdown.
Since their bout was called off, Fury has beaten Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte and retired, twice…
But following Joshua’s recent rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, Fury called out his long-standing rival and the two could now do battle for the WBC heavyweight title.
There is still much up in the air regarding the potentially era-defining bout but here’s what we know so far.
Fury vs Joshua: What we know
Fury and Joshua did agree a two-fight deal in early 2021 but that was shelved due to Fury’s contractual obligation to face Wilder for a third time in October of last year.
The Gypsy King beat Wilder and has since seen off Whyte in April to retain his title. He then claimed he would be retiring from the sport.
Joshua, meanwhile, faced Usyk after his Fury clash fell through and lost in London in September 2021. He then, of course, suffered defeat to the Ukrainian again in August 2022.
Now though, Fury and Joshua could be set to clash before the end of the year.
Fury took to Twitter to issue a direct call out to his long-time British rival on September 5, saying: “I think you’ve all heard that I’m going to be fighting in the next few months. I think that before I announce an opponent, I need to do this, just in case.
“Anthony Joshua, I know you’ve just lost a fight to Usyk and you’re belt-less at the moment. I’d like to give you an opportunity to fight me for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world and the lineal championship in the next few months.
“You’re coming off a 12-round fight, you’re match fit, you’re ready. I’m giving you a few months’ notice. If you’re interested, I’ll send you a date over and we can rumble. A battle of Britain for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“Let me know if you’re interested, if not, I will select another opponent.”
Joshua accepted the call out, responding with: “Yea calm. I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if your really about it shout @258mgt. I’ll be ready in December. Khalas.”
The two have since been thrashing out the details of the clash.
Joshua has accepted all of Fury’s terms for them to meet in a WBC heavyweight world title fight this year.
AJ has agreed to Fury’s demanded date of Saturday, December 3 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn previously revealed that they did not expect him to be ready until December 17.
The Gypsy King put forward an offer of 60/40 for the December 3 fight, with a rematch clause at 50/50, should Joshua beat him. AJ has decided to take it.
The only thing left to be resolved is the broadcast situation, though both parties have previously stated that they would be happy to do a joint PPV between Fury’s partner BT Sport and AJ’s partner DAZN.
Fury vs Joshua: What has been said?
Promoter Frank Warren revealed in his column for the Star: “The contracts have been sent to Anthony Joshua’s team. They will have arrived on Friday morning.
“Now we wait for them to go through them and sign so we can get one of British boxing’s biggest events on.
“All our side is on board for this fight. Tyson Fury is eager for it as he showed last week by calling out his fellow Brit.
“Since the passing of the Queen, Tyson has been respectful and kept his counsel while we work on the deal behind the scenes.
“The next step was sending over the contracts which we promised Joshua would arrive soon.
“I don’t anticipate there will be any problems. We all want this fight to happen.”
Warren also revealed that he expects there to be a press conference ‘fairly soon’, suggesting he is confident the contract will be signed.
Joshua recently posted a picture of himself in the gym on social media with the caption: “In my office. 258mgt are in theirs. Staying on top of business.”
Fury then sent a video message to Joshua on Twitter, saying: “Tick, tick, tick, tock tock tock, time is running out of the bottle dosser.
“Where are you dosser? Getting scared, aren’t you dosser.”
He added: “AJ, I’ll make it nice and quick for you.
“I’ll do it inside six rounds so you can get out of there in one piece, go home and have a nice little night out.
“Nice and quick, in and out, get paid and out you go.”
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