Tyson Fury has claimed Anthony Joshua is backing out of their much-anticipated all-British heavyweight showdown and has challenged Oleksandr Usyk to a trilogy fight instead.
Fury and Joshua have been in talks over a long-awaited meeting, which is expected to take place in November, although the venue has yet to be confirmed.
The 38-year-old former heavyweight champion made the claim in an expletive-laden video posted on Instagram, saying Joshua was pulling out of the proposed fight.
“This will only lead me to a fight with Oleksandr Usyk,” Fury said, before challenging the Ukrainian to meet him again in November.
Fury acknowledged that Usyk had beaten him twice, saying the Ukrainian had earned the victories and suggesting they “run it back” for a third encounter.
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“The ball is now in your court,” Fury said, asking Usyk whether he wanted to fight him in 2026 before adding that he was now looking for a new opponent.
Fury has suffered two defeats against Usyk, who became a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion after beating the British fighter in their previous meetings.
Joshua has also been working with Usyk’s training team as he prepares for his next major challenge.
The proposed Fury-Joshua bout has generated significant interest in Britain and internationally, but negotiations over the venue remain unresolved.
New York’s Madison Square Garden had been widely expected to host the fight, although Joshua’s camp reportedly prefers Wembley Stadium in London.
Saudi state-owned promotional company Sela, which is financing the event, and broadcaster Netflix are understood to favour staging the fight in the United States.
Fury’s latest comments add further uncertainty to a bout that has been discussed for years, with fans still waiting for an official confirmation of the fighters, date and venue.
