Tyson Fury Casts Doubt on Anthony Joshua Bout and Demands Oleksandr Usyk Trilogy Fight

Tyson Fury has claimed that Anthony Joshua is pulling out of their highly anticipated all-British heavyweight boxing showdown, prompting the "Gypsy King" to challenge Oleksandr Usyk to a trilogy fight instead and throwing the planned bout into uncertainty.

In an expletive-laden video posted on Instagram on Sunday, the 38-year-old Tyson Fury alleged that Anthony Joshua was backing out of the matchup. The two former heavyweight world champions had been locked in negotiations for a long-awaited meeting, but Tyson Fury expressed impatience over the lack of confirmation, having called his rival a "coward" the previous week.

The pair had been expected to meet in November at Madison Square Garden in New York, though the proposed venue faced backlash from British boxing fans, with Anthony Joshua's camp favoring Wembley Stadium instead. Citing a lack of response and indecision surrounding the location, Tyson Fury turned his attention back to his longtime Ukrainian rival, Oleksandr Usyk.

"This will only lead me to a fight with Oleksandr Usyk," Tyson Fury said. Directing his message to the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, he added, "Oleksandr, you're his [Anthony Joshua's] trainer and his sensei, and you know he is... weak-minded... and that he would never fight the Gypsy King, which you have had the guts to do twice."

Tyson Fury, who has twice lost to Oleksandr Usyk, urged him to accept a rematch. "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 it quits? Let me know because I am now looking for a new opponent."

Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua has been working with Oleksandr Usyk's training team, further fueling the drama surrounding the heavyweight division as the prospective Madison Square Garden clash hangs in the balance.