“I’m not interested in going toe-to-toe with somebody who’s in a bad place at the moment. I’ve been in a bad place many, many times. I wish them boys all the best,” Fury said via The Ring Magazine.

The two British heavyweights have repeatedly been linked over the years without ever meeting in the ring. Talks advanced in 2020 following Joshua’s victory over Kubrat Pulev but stalled over financial terms.

A two-fight deal in 2021 collapsed when a United States arbitration panel ordered Fury to complete a trilogy with Deontay Wilder, and subsequent negotiations fell apart due to contract disputes and Fury’s pattern of retirement announcements.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed the former champion is targeting a return to the ring in July, with Joshua publicly vowing to honour his late friends through his continued career.