Anthony Joshua is not ready to abandon his dream of a Battle of Britain with Tyson Fury, despite the Gypsy King doubling down on his retirement plans.
Fury, 36, called time on his boxing career for the fifth time earlier this year in January, just weeks after his second straight defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. Although Fury performed a U-turn last month and hinted at a return to the ring, he has since reaffirmed his decision to stay retired.
However, Joshua isn’t buying it. The former heavyweight champion remains confident that a long-awaited showdown with Fury will eventually happen. On his private Snapchat, AJ posted a photo of himself watching Fury in action and wrote: “One of these days it’ll be standing in the opposite corner. Ready and fully charged spiritually.”
The two Britons have been on a collision course for over a decade but have never shared the ring. In 2020, they agreed to a massive two-fight deal that was set to take place the following year. However, the fights were derailed when Deontay Wilder won a legal arbitration for a trilogy bout with Fury.
A Fury vs. Joshua clash would not only be a massive financial payday but also finally settle the ongoing debate about who truly is the better man in the heavyweight division.
Despite the hype surrounding the potential fight, Fury insists that he has nothing left to prove. The Morecambe-based fighter, who still feels he was denied the chance to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, explained: “What would I return for? More belts? I’ve won 22 of them. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved, and I’ve been around the world and back again.”
Fury added, “I’m retired and staying retired. I have nothing to prove to anybody.”
With Fury firm on his retirement stance, it remains to be seen whether a potential Battle of Britain will ever come to fruition. But for now, Joshua’s hopes remain alive.
