Tyson Fury's manager makes major demand ahead Anthony Joshua fight despite withdrawal fears

Tyson Fury’s manager has insisted that a demand be met ahead of the Gypsy King’s proposed heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua.

Fury returns to action on Friday afternoon (July 24) against Polish veteran Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, while Joshua will take on Albania’s Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday (July 25).

AJ’s fight will be the first since he was involved in a fatal car crash which claimed the lives of his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele in Nigeria in December 2025.

Both Fury and Joshua’s upcoming bouts are expected to be glorified sparring sessions designed to enhance interest in and set up an all-British clash likely to take place at Wembley Stadium later in 2026.

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Joshua has insisted that he’s “pushing” for the fight to take place at the iconic London venue, although Fury raised major concerns with his comments ahead of his fight against Wach.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Fury explained how he was open to fighting “somebody else” later this year rather than finally going toe-to-toe with Joshua.

"Let's not make this about silly Mr Bodybuilder,” Fury said.

“I'm not interested in him or his mates or anybody else. I don't give a **** about him. I don't care if I ever see him again in my life. If I do, I do. If I don't, I don't.

“I'm not interested in him.”

Joshua’s promoter and Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn responded by admitting he has concerns about Fury pulling out, claiming the ‘Gypsy King’ is unreliable, citing previous withdrawals from fights.

"If odds are being thrown around about who might pull out of this fight, trust me, it isn't Anthony Joshua,” Hearn said.

"Don't forget, AJ has not only fought every contender he could have, but he also previously signed to fight Tyson Fury, who pulled out of the fight because of an arbitration ruling involving Deontay Wilder.

"So don't worry about AJ, he's as game as they come. But we have our doubts about whether Fury will turn up, especially if AJ looks great on Saturday night."

Tyson Fury's manager makes demand to WBA

Meanwhile, Fury’s manager Spencer Brown remains set on arranging a fight with AJ despite his client’s comments, even calling on the sanctioning body, the World Boxing Association (WBA), to put the WBA ‘Super’ heavyweight title on the line should the British pair fight.

"I want to see the WBA [on the line] against AJ for the super fight,” Brown told BoxingScene. “I'd love to see that because it's vacant. Why couldn't them two fight for it? “Could there be any better a fight? One of them will become a three-time world champion. I love that. If you're watching WBA, get in touch, please.”

The four recognised heavyweight world title belts are currently fragmented after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the WBA ‘Super’, WBC and IBF crowns as well as the Ring Magazine belt.

Agit Kabayel now holds the WBC crown, while Murat Gassiev is the WBA champion. The IBF title is vacant, although a bout between Moses Itauma and Frank Sanchez has been ordered by the governing body.

Britain’s Daniel Dubois holds the WBO strap.