Tyson Fury Claims Fight with Anthony Joshua is Off Amid Wembley Row and Calls Out Usyk for Trilogy Bout

Tyson Fury has cast fresh doubt over his proposed heavyweight fight with Anthony Joshua after claiming the contest is off and calling for a third meeting with Oleksandr Usyk instead.

However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has rejected Fury’s claim, insisting that a legally binding agreement remains in place as negotiations continue over where the all-British showdown will be staged.

For boxing fans looking to experience some of the sport’s biggest occasions in VIP style, Eventmasters offers a range of boxing hospitality packages at leading venues. With the situation surrounding Joshua and Fury continuing to develop, supporters can also keep up to date with the latest Eventmasters boxing hospitality opportunities as further major fight nights are confirmed.

Fury turns attention towards Usyk

Joshua and Fury have both signed agreements connected to a prospective fight later this year, which has been targeted for November. The major obstacle has become the venue, with Joshua’s agreement requiring the contest to take place in the UK while organisers have explored taking the event to the United States.

Madison Square Garden in New York has emerged as the leading American option, with organisers Sela and broadcaster Netflix understood to favour staging the fight there. Joshua and Hearn have continued to push for Wembley Stadium, leaving negotiations at an impasse despite the two former heavyweight world champions having already agreed to fight.

Fury has now publicly claimed Joshua is backing away from the contest and said he has started looking elsewhere for a November opponent. The 38-year-old directly challenged Usyk, who handed Fury the only two defeats of his professional career.

“This will only lead me to a fight with Oleksandr Usyk,” Fury said.

“Oleksandr you’re his [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.

“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.”

Usyk defeated Fury twice in 2024, first becoming undisputed heavyweight champion before winning their rematch later that year. The Ukrainian has since become part of Joshua’s training set-up, adding another element to Fury’s latest challenge.

A third Fury-Usyk fight is far from confirmed, however. Usyk has also been linked with Deontay Wilder as he considers the final stage of his career, meaning Fury’s call-out does not currently represent a replacement deal for the Joshua fight.

Hearn insists Joshua has not pulled out

Despite Fury’s comments, Hearn has been clear that Joshua has not withdrawn from the fight.

“We have a signed legally binding contract to fight Tyson Fury and that’s exactly what we will be doing,” Hearn said on Sunday.

The Matchroom chairman’s comments mean the contest has not been officially cancelled, despite Fury’s public declaration. Instead, the central issue remains the location and the terms required to move Joshua away from the UK staging stipulated in his agreement.

Joshua has been particularly firm in his desire for the fight to take place in Britain. Hearn had previously been renegotiating elements of the deal as organisers pushed towards New York, but Wembley has since returned to the discussion.

Talks over the national stadium were “reopened” last week, with Hearn attempting to find a solution that would allow the fight to remain in London while also satisfying the commercial demands attached to the US television market.

Could Joshua vs Fury still happen at Wembley?

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has publicly backed bringing the fight to Wembley Stadium and revealed his willingness to work with the promoters to make the event possible.

“A message to the promoters – we want to host it in London. Talk to us, we’re really keen to have it,” Khan said.

“I’m hoping the promoters understand that not only will you get 100,000 people watching this bout live, you’ll get millions watching it across the globe, where both boxers are cheered on by their loyal fans.”

One option being discussed would involve a much later start at Wembley, potentially around 2am in the UK, to place the main event at a more favourable time for viewers in the United States. Hearn has said talks over a Wembley event are now moving quickly, although those involved in staging the fight are still understood to favour America.

That leaves Joshua vs Fury in an unusual position. Agreements are in place and both fighters have spent much of 2026 moving towards the contest, but no venue has been officially confirmed and Fury is now openly discussing other opponents.

For now, Fury’s latest comments represent another major complication rather than confirmation that one of British boxing’s most anticipated fights has been abandoned. Hearn continues to insist Joshua will face Fury, while Wembley and Madison Square Garden remain at the centre of negotiations.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury FAQs

Is Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury officially cancelled?

No. Tyson Fury has claimed publicly that the fight is off, but Eddie Hearn has denied that Anthony Joshua has withdrawn. Hearn says there is a legally binding agreement in place for Joshua to fight Fury.

Why has Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury been delayed?

The main issue is the venue. Joshua’s agreement stipulates that the fight should take place in the UK, while organisers and Netflix have explored staging the contest at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Could Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury take place at Wembley Stadium?

Yes. Talks over Wembley Stadium have reopened, with Hearn and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan both supporting a London staging. A later start time has also been discussed to make the fight more suitable for US television audiences.

Who has Tyson Fury called out instead of Anthony Joshua?

Fury has challenged Oleksandr Usyk to a third fight in November. Usyk defeated Fury twice in 2024, but there is currently no confirmed agreement for a trilogy contest.

Can I book boxing hospitality with Eventmasters?

Yes. Eventmasters offers boxing hospitality packages for major fight nights, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy top-level boxing with premium hospitality and excellent seating options. Supporters can explore the latest available boxing hospitality packages through Eventmasters.