Tyson Fury has spent the week saying the Anthony Joshua fight will not happen. He has now moved on to attacking Joshua directly.
In an Instagram post, Fury argued that Joshua has never been the same since losing to Andy Ruiz Jr.
AJ’s a little unsure of himself, he always has been. Gun-shy. Chin gone. Legs gone. In heavyweight boxing, you can get hit, get knocked down. But you can’t change what’s in here. Mentally like soup; mentally I’m like concrete.
Andy Ruiz put the finish on you and you never recovered. Look at the state of you. You’ve been gun-shy ever since. You’re not man enough to stand in my world.
Ruiz stopped Joshua in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden in June 2019, taking the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles in one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history. Joshua won the rematch in Saudi Arabia six months later. The venue is relevant because Madison Square Garden is where Fury and Joshua are being pushed to fight.
Behind the insults, the negotiation has moved. BoxingScene reports that Matchroom presented an addendum to Sela, the Saudi company organizing and financing the event, listing what Joshua’s side needs in order to accept New York on November 20. Separate correspondence reviewed by the outlet, which an official said is not part of the addendum, has Matchroom asking Sela to settle outstanding payments across its darts and snooker business.
Eddie Hearn maintains that Joshua’s contract specifies the UK. Fury’s camp has said his agreement contains no such clause. Both men have signed separate contracts.
