By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 22, 2026

The much-anticipated fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury remains unsigned despite weeks of public posturing, renewed ringside confrontations and declarations from all sides that a deal is close.

According to BBC Sport, Team Fury claims they have already signed the contract. Joshua has not. The situation mirrors a pattern that has repeated itself over the past decade, with both fighters circling each other without ever sharing a ring.

The latest public encounter came after Fury’s April 11 stoppage of Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, when Fury leaned over the ropes and beckoned Joshua — who was seated ringside — to come up. Joshua stayed in his seat. Backstage, Fury vented his frustration.

“He didn’t want the smoke. He came ringside to make the fight. If it was me, I’d have jumped in the ring. Ten years in the making and still there’s uncertainty if it’s going to happen next,” Fury said.

He added that if Joshua is not his next opponent, he is finished with boxing entirely.

Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh had spoken before and after the Makhmudov fight as though a deal was imminent, and Netflix briefly posted that the bout was set for autumn before promoter Frank Warren moved to shut down those reports.

There is at least some logic behind Joshua’s hesitation. Fury’s return against Makhmudov effectively served as a warm-up bout, while Joshua has fought only once in the past 18 months — a sixth-round stoppage of YouTuber Jake Paul in December.

Joshua also survived a car crash in December that killed two close friends, an experience he referenced when questioned about the delay. A tune-up fight against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25 would allow him to regain rhythm and accumulate rounds before the full glare of a Fury build-up.

Fury acknowledged Joshua’s trauma but was dismissive of the case for interim fights, saying, “We’ve all had problems — that’s life. Taking interim fights, you can get chinned by anyone.”

Croke Park in Dublin has emerged as a leading venue candidate if the fight is eventually confirmed, with both fighters still regarded as the biggest draws in British boxing despite being past their peaks.

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 22, 2026

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