Tyson Fury cruised to victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in his first fight since December 2024, then engaged in a tense exchange with ringside Anthony Joshua, challenging him to a Battle of Britain megafight this summer. Fury won a unanimous decision in a one-sided fight against Russian Makhmudov, with the judges scoring it 120-108, 120-108, 119-109 in favor of the Gypsy king at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fury called Joshua to the ring after the fight, but AJ declined the invitation. The pair simply shook hands as Joshua said: “It’s your night, it’s your night.” Earlier in the day, there were rumors that a fight between the two would be announced if Fury won upon his return to the ring. During the Fury fight, Joshua told Netflix: “I have my eye on the prize, it’s been a long time, we’re going to be in deep water soon. The plan is right left hook, right left hook until something lands and then boom.”

And in the ring after the victory, Fury looked at Joshua and said: “Thank you all for coming out tonight. I really appreciate each and every one of you. 16 months off and we’re filling Tottenham again. But like I said, let me take Arslanbek Makhmudov out and we’ll talk further. Then I want to give you the fight you’ve all been waiting for. I want you, AJ. Anthony Joshua.”

As the crowd roared, Fury added, “Let’s give the fight fans what they want. That’s my challenge. I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me, Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King, NEXT! Do you accept my challenge? Let him say yes or no now. Come on, you huge b***h, will you fight or not?”

Joshua sat staring at his compatriot the entire time and was then called to the ring, but chose to remain in his seat. When he handed over the microphone, he replied, “Tyson, you’re a hit man. I’ve never had a problem getting in the ring with you. I punched you when we were kids. And after watching you here tonight, I punch you again.”

“With all due respect, tonight is your night and you know that when the time is right I will sit across from you in the ring. You are not going to tell me what to do. I have been chasing you for the last 10 years. When you are ready, come to me and tell me your terms and I will accept you in the ring when I am ready. I am the boss. You work for me. I am the landlord, remember that, you work for me.”

Fury then responded: “The ball is in your court. Let’s give the fight fans what they want. Don’t run from me this time. 10 years in the making, let’s f**k you! You’re another dosser and you’re getting knocked out. Believe it.”

Joshua then entered the ring to speak to Netflix, but refused to confirm that the fight would take place next. He added: “I will be completely sincere. Negotiations are ongoing. I have felt melancholy many times at this table with him.

“Deep in my heart, I’m going to fight Tyson Fury tomorrow. Especially after watching it. There’s no problem with me fighting. It’s what I do. I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘Yes, I’ll fight him!’. I’m not here to gain an advantage, I’m here to fight. Contracts will be sent, we’ll discuss the finer details and you’ll probably see us in the ring next, which is more than likely.”

“I’m not here to get in the ring and start screaming in someone’s face. If you look at my track record, I’ve never done that. I’m not here to have clout, I wanted to watch the fight, I’ve seen what I’ve seen and I know what to do when I get him in the ring.”

Boxing fans have been waiting for a long time for the appearance of two Britons – Fury (now 37) and Joshua (36). AJ added: “Listen, he’s the one who retired. I was in the game, I never retired, the last 13 years I was forceful, it’s his fault. He disappears, he comes back, he disappears, he comes back. I’m forceful.”

“I’m not here to chase fame or hype, I’m a real person and I’ll fight anyone in front of me, whether it’s him or the next person. It doesn’t matter to me. I fight huge fights. It’s just my style. I fight huge fights. He works for me.”

Asked if he wanted a warm-up fight for the Fury fight, Joshua replied: “Good question. It could be a warm-up fight after what I saw today! We’ll see. I had a grave incident about four months ago, so I need to see what’s going on with my return to the ring.”

“I’m here and I have my finger on the pulse. There are real things going on in my life, I’m not avoiding anyone. I know what my job is. And there are real things that I have to take care of. When I’m 100 percent, I’ll be ready. That’s what I do. I’m playing the game. Everyone knows I’m playing the game. That’s what I do, I’m a grave fighter and I’m very forceful. When I hit Fury, I’m going to hurt him. He’s bad.”

In December, Joshua was involved in a car accident that killed two of his friends – his personal trainer Latif Ayodele and strength coach Sina Ghami – and added: “I have to [do what’s right for me]. I’m sorting out some things. My brothers with their parents. The Brotherhood takes care of everything, I have to put it first, it’s my priority.

“Tyson Fury, if he’s grave, you’ll see him in the ring and you’ll see me in the ring. I’m a grave person. Whether it’s against him or not… the ball will be in his court.

“I’ve been here a million times. When my name and signature is on the dotted line, it’s a fight. There’s nothing on the dotted line right now. Neither is him. To be sincere with you, there’s no fight right now.”

“Until the first bell rings, there’s no fight. I’ve been here three or four times [Deontay] Wilder and Fury. This is uninteresting to me. It’s exhilarating for the guys back home. As for me, I’ve been here many times. It’s no problem.

“I like his fighting style, I think he’s good, but I don’t think he would be able to handle me. I know it will be a very demanding job for him. But I don’t want to talk too much.”