British heavyweight champion Tyson Fury took to Instagram on Sunday night to claim that fellow Briton Anthony Joshua is backing out of their highly anticipated November 20 showdown. Fury, who is 38 and holds a 36‑2‑1 record with 25 knockouts, said the alleged withdrawal forces him to look for a new opponent.
Contractual details and venue tug‑of‑war
Both Fury and Joshua have signed individual contracts with Saudi‑based promoter Sela for a fight that would pit the two former world champions against each other. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has stipulated that the bout must occur on United Kingdom soil, while Sela and streaming partner Netflix are pushing for a marquee event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The fight has not yet been finalized, leaving the venue dispute unresolved.
Fury’s challenge to Oleksandr Usyk
In his Instagram post, Fury announced that he is now looking to face Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated Ukrainian who defeated Fury twice in 2024. “Oleksandr, you’re his trainer and his sensei, and you know he is a weak‑minded piece of s‑‑ and that he would never fight the Gypsy King, which you have had the guts to do twice,” Fury wrote, referencing his own nickname, the Gypsy King. He added, “You got the decisions last time, fair play to you. Good luck to you, let’s do it again. Let’s run it back in November. The ball is now in your court… do you want to fight me this year, 2026, or are you calling quits? Let me know because I am now looking for a new opponent.”
Background on the fighters
Fury, a 36‑2‑1 veteran with 25 knockouts, has been a dominant force in the heavyweight division for years. Joshua, at 30‑4 with 27 knockouts, recently knocked down his opponent twice before securing a knockout victory over Kristian Prenga in July. Both men have expressed a desire to settle the rivalry that has been teased for months.
Usyk, unbeaten at 25‑0 with 16 knockouts, earned his two victories over Fury in 2024, each decision sparking debate among boxing fans. Fury’s call for a rematch with Usyk underscores the competitive tension that has defined the heavyweight landscape this year.
Industry reaction
BBC Sport reported that Sela and Netflix continue to favor a Fury‑Joshua clash at Madison Square Garden, citing the venue’s global appeal and potential pay‑per‑view revenue. The promoter’s push for a U.S. location clashes with Hearn’s insistence on a UK setting, a disagreement that could delay final contract signatures.
What’s next?
With the November 20 date looming, the next few weeks will determine whether Joshua’s camp will honor the original agreement, whether a venue compromise can be reached, or whether Fury will indeed line up a third fight with Usyk. Fans of heavyweight boxing are watching closely, as the outcome will shape the division’s hierarchy heading into 2027.
Regardless of the final matchup, the ongoing saga highlights the commercial power of British heavyweight boxing and the growing influence of international promoters and streaming platforms in shaping the sport’s biggest events.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
