Tyson Fury launches fresh swipe at Anthony Joshua as talks over fight continue
Tyson Fury says Anthony Joshua has been 'conning everybody for years' as he criticised his British rival yet again amid ongoing talks over a fight between the pair; Promoter Frank Warren said the ball is in Joshua's court, with the location of the fight remaining a defining talking point
Wednesday 2 September 2026 21:18, UK
Tyson Fury has branded Anthony Joshua a "coward" and suggested the two-time world heavyweight champion is "conning everybody" as talks over a long-awaited all-British showdown continue.
Fury and Joshua had appeared closer than ever to agreeing a super-fight long-in-the-making, only for Saudi organisers Sela's wish to hold the event in the USA to emerge as a major stumbling block.
Joshua's side have maintained their desire for the fight to take place in the UK.
Fury took to Instagram once again on Wednesday to question the hold up.
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"Joshua, where are you? Still no deal done. It's getting quite tiring," said Fury. "I've been down to fight in every location that's been mentioned - England, Ireland, Vegas, New York, back to England, back to Ireland, back to New York. I've said yep, yep, yep every single time with zero stipulations.
"The facts are that I feel like you're being a coward. I feel like you don't want the fight and you're just conning everybody. I feel like you've been doing that for years."
Joshua is coming off a second-round knockout victory over Kristian Prenga in July, during which he was notably floored twice in the first round.
Fury also last fought in July when he took on Mariusz Wach, with the 46-year-old retiring in the seventh round.
"You've had many opportunities to fight me, but deep down you've never really wanted it, so let's see if you're going to man out for a final time," Fury continued.
"We're both f***ing 37, 38 years old - let's f***ing fight. It's a boxing match and you've been banjoed before plenty of times.
"You've been knocked sparked out a few times. So what, what's the worst that can happen? I'm going to f***ing chin you, 100 per cent, but it's nothing that hasn't been done before!"
Fury later took to Instagram again, this time accompanied by Mike Tyson as he imitated the former heavyweight world champion's famous phrase 'Sign the contract, big boy'.
Promoter Frank Warren insisted Wednesday that the ball was "100 per cent" in Joshua's court.
"Tyson has signed up for the fight and agreed to the fight," said Warren. "He's all good to go, just waiting for AJ. I can't speak for him, because he's with Matchroom. He [Fury] has signed."
He did, meanwhile, admit he was uncertain as to the fight's location, with Fury having this week teased Madison Square Garden on social media.
"That I don't know," he continued. "That's going to be up to the people who are putting up the money and the promoters and the TV company putting up the money.
"Tyson just wants to get on. He said 'I don't care where I'll fight, whether it's Wembley, New York, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man - I'll fight him anywhere'. He doesn't care."
