Anthony Joshua was certainly doing his homework on Tyson Fury during the Gypsy King’s comeback bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday (April 11) before the pair became embroiled in a fiery exchange.
As expected, Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn and Joshua were sitting ringside at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Fury dominated Russia’s Makhmudov.
Ahead of the fight, there were rumours that an all-British showdown between AJ and Fury was imminent, with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh suggesting that a “surprise” announcement was in the offing on the night.
“Today we have a big surprise. I hope we announce the biggest fight in the history of England,” he said, seemingly referring to a bout between AJ and Fury.
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He also joked that someone needed to kidnap Hearn, before adding that he believes the bout should take place at Wembley Stadium, despite previous suggestions that it could be held at Dublin’s Croke Park.
AJ spoke to Netflix’s Anna Woolhouse during the night, with the former two-time world champion saying: “Fans have come out to see the British boxers. It’s been a really good undercard. Boxing is thriving in the UK.
“I’ve got my eyes on the prize, 100%. You know what I’m here for. It’s been a long time coming. Tyson Fury has been out for a long time and he’s back now. I’ll be in the deep end really soon.”
When asked if the Fury fight was next, he added: “The plan is right hand, left hook, right hand, left hook until something connects. I am a very powerful guy and very hungry.”
Later in the evening, Joshua appeared to be employing some early mind games, with the Watford-born heavyweight spotted filming various parts of Fury’s fight on his mobile phone. This prompted commentator David Haye to suggest he should watch the fight back in high definition on Netflix.
Shortly after the bout, Fury leaned over the ropes and grabbed Joshua’s hand, suggesting he should join him in the ring, but AJ did not oblige.
Minutes later, the scorecards were read out, with the Gypsy King winning by unanimous decision.
He then screamed down the microphone and challenged Joshua to fight him next, while the crowd roared along, and AJ simply stared back at him.
Fury said: “I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me next. Do you accept?”
Fury then branded Joshua a “s***house”, before AJ replied by calling him a clout chaser.
“I punched you up when we were kids and I’ll punch you up again,” AJ replied.
“You aren’t going to tell me what to do, I’ve been chasing you for 10 years.
“I’m the boss, you work for me. I’m the landlord. You work for me.”
Joshua also maintained that no contract has been signed to fight Fury at this time.
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Boxing, Eddie Hearn
Luke Davies