Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: The Gypsy King casts doubt on fight with AJ ahead of Mariusz Wach bout in Thailand
Tyson Fury has revealed his doubts about fighting Anthony Joshua later this year despite both sides signing contracts; both heavyweights are in action this week with Fury fighting on Friday in Thailand and Joshua on Saturday in Saudi Arabia
Thursday 23 July 2026 06:23, UK
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have traded insults as fresh doubts were raised about their long-awaited showdown this year.
Fury returns against Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday before Joshua has a comeback fight against Kristian Prenga on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
The British rivals were expected to finally face each other in November, with a date and venue yet to be announced, but Fury insists he is prepared to fight "somebody else" later this year.
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However, speaking to Dev Sahni on Sky Sports News, Fury cast doubt on the fight with Joshua in an expletive rant about his compatriot.
"Let's not make this about silly Mr Bodybuilder. 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," he said.
"I'm not interested in him, anybody should do for him - his manager, his wife, his sister, his cousin. No interest.
"We have got five months left of the year, so I want to get this fella [Wach] boxed, do well, and do what I can.
"I know I can beat this fella. I beat this fella with one hand, and that's not to say anything bad about Mariusz, but I'm in good form. I could beat all of these heavyweights with one hand. But I'm in good shape. I'm in fine fettle, injury-free and I'm ready to rock and roll.
"There's five months to get another fight in before the end of year. And if it is your man Anthony Joshua, good. And if it's not, then I'll be fighting somebody else."
Joshua later hit back at Fury, branding his British rival as "Mr Greedy Belly" and insisting he would "do his part of the bargain, by beating Prenga this weekend".
"He's always been talking about my body for so many years," Joshua said. "What I would do for him at a discounted rate because of his profile, I'll help him transform his body from being a greedy belly into a bodybuilder. I'll give him a set of six-pack abs.
"I'll give him a set of abs. If he's really keen to know what it takes to look like this, I'll help him out. He's always obsessed with my abs.
"It's going down. If I get past my next fight, I've stood up, I've done my part of the bargain. And now it's up to your mate, Mr Greedy Belly, to fulfil his obligation to get in the ring with me."
Could Fury vs AJ happen 2am?
Wembley Stadium might have to extend its current curfew time to 2am to accommodate an international TV broadcast and Joshua is open to a later fight time.
"Quick party, quick central London, local Wetherspoons or whatever it is, and then hit the fight night in Wembley. That would be unbelievable," he said.
Fury has no plans to watch Joshua's fight
Fury's fight with Wach on Friday will take place at around 4pm UK time in front of 1,500 spectators in Pattaya, with Joshua fighting on Saturday night in Jeddah.
Joshua attended Fury's victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April earlier this year in London but Fury will not travel to Saudi Arabia.
"I'm going home. I've got about as much interest in Anthony Joshua versus 'some Pringles' as I have of spewing that all over the floor. None. I'm going home. I'm not interested in AJ and his mate boxing," he said.
Asked if facing off against Joshua in Saudi Arabia on Saturday would send a signal to everyone that the fight is happening, Fury added: "You can send out as many signals as you want.
"You've been told for 10 years it's happening. It hasn't happened, has it? So don't hold your breath. I've always had my doubts. But if it happens, good. If it doesn't, also good."
Fury: Wach is a tough man
Wach was last a heavyweight world champion in 2012 but has continued to fight annually, although has lost eight of his last 12 fights.
The 46-year-old wants to "ruin" the plans of Fury fighting Joshua, and Fury is not overlooking his opponent.
"It's going to be crazy but I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's going to be good," said 'The Gypsy King'.
"He's a tough man. He's a veteran, and he's been around the game 20 years plus. So he's a dangerous man, a big heavyweight and anything can happen. I've got to obviously be wary of him and be on my A-game and do what I do.
"I've been out here 10 weeks training, so I've not left any stones unturned. I'm ready to go. I'm in great shape and I'm fit as a fiddle."
