Anthony Joshua has turned down an immediate fight challenge from long-time rival Tyson Fury following the latter’s victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Fury cruised to a comfortable win in a one-sided heavyweight contest that failed to fully spark the crowd, but the post-fight drama quickly stole the spotlight as the British boxer called out Joshua from the ring.
With Joshua seated ringside, Fury addressed the crowd and directly challenged his fellow heavyweight.
“Next I want to give you the fight you’ve all been waiting for; I want you AJ, Anthony Joshua,” Fury said.
“Let’s give the fight fans what they want, a Battle of Britain. I challenge you AJ to fight me, The Gypsy King, next. Say yes or no now.”
Joshua, however, refused to accept the challenge on the spot and chose not to step into the ring, a decision that drew boos and jeers from sections of the crowd.
Responding afterwards, Joshua accused Fury of seeking attention rather than genuinely pushing for the fight.
“Tyson… you’re a clout chaser,” Joshua said.
“I’ve never had any problem getting in the ring with you. I punched you out when we were kids, and after seeing you in the ring tonight, I’d punch you up again.”
He added that while he remains open to fighting Fury, he would not be pressured into making decisions publicly.
“With all due respect, tonight is your night and I’ll sit across the ring from you in due time. You ain’t gonna tell me what to do,” he said.
“I’ve been chasing you for the last 10 years. When you’re ready, come and see me and tell me your terms and conditions. I’m the boss, you work for me. I’m the landlord, remember that.”
Joshua also stressed that any potential bout must go through the proper negotiation process.
“There are negotiations that you go through. I have been at this table with him many times,” he said.
“In my heart, I’d fight Fury tomorrow, especially after watching that. There is not a problem fighting him.
“I am not here to get clout. I am here to fight. The contract will be sent over, we will go through the nitty gritty, and you will probably see us in the ring next, more than likely.
“But I am not here to get in the ring shouting in someone’s face. If you look at my track record, I have never done that. I came to watch the fight, I saw what I saw, and I know what I need to do.”
Joshua further revealed that he is currently dealing with personal matters outside boxing.
“I am sorting some things out. My brothers, their parents, the brotherhood of taking care of things. That is the priority right now,” he said.
The much-anticipated clash between the two British heavyweight stars has been discussed for more than a decade, but repeated breakdowns in negotiations have continued to delay what many fans consider one of boxing’s biggest possible matchups.
Saturday’s exchange has once again reignited hopes that the long-awaited showdown may finally happen.
Joshua Rejects Fury’s Ringside Challenge, Labels Rival a ‘Clout Chaser’
