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Anthony Joshua’s response when Tyson Fury challenges him face-to-face: “I challenge you”

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2 months ago

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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.”

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UK Boxing

“Boxing is not broken” – Ed Pereira presents a vision for the future of the sport

Published

10 hours ago

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June 2, 2026

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Garcia was beaten by Romero in May in Times Square. Photo: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom Boxing

Ed Pereira described how through IVisitBoxing he hopes to aid change the sport for the future.

Pereira is promoting IVisitBoxing’s next appearance on July 11 in San Francisco.

The promoter spoke to proboxing-fans.com about his journey to the boxing world after great success with his other ventures, including IVisit Media.

Pereira truly introduced himself to the boxing world last May when he, along with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season, promoted an event in the middle of Times Square.

The event featured some of the sport’s biggest names, including Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Rolando Romero, with a world title fight topping the bill.

Garcia was beaten by Romero in May in Times Square. Photo: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom Boxing

Pereira reflected on the event and spoke honestly about how it all happened.

“Times Square was an incredible experience because of how tough it was to create.

“People were disconnected from the experience, and that’s what I felt: I want people to be engaged.”

Haney worked alongside Ramirez. Photo: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images
Haney worked alongside Ramirez. Photo: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images

He also revealed what message he carries in his company and what is most essential to him when promoting events throughout the United States.

“Make something and then show it to as many people as possible. And I’m still doing it, 30 years later.”

He talked about how he believes boxing impacts the lives of individuals, from the fighters themselves to the audience, and why accessibility in sport is so essential.

Ed Pereira talked about the future he sees for boxing. photo: Boxing News/YouTube
Ed Pereira talked about the future he sees for boxing. photo: Boxing News/YouTube

“Boxing doesn’t just change people’s lives – it changes the way the world sees people.

“That’s the power of boxing.”

IVB and Pereira’s next appearance will be on July 11, with the main event being Anthony Olascuaga’s fight against Andy Dominguez Velasquez.

The fight card will be on display at the Civic Center and a wide range of tickets will be available, including a free section allowing anyone to watch the fights. Pereira hopes to break the boxing attendance record of 135, 132 set in 1941 by Tony Zale vs. Billy Pryor.

“For me, San Francisco is the story of every single person on that card.

“Boxing is not broken.

“We need to make boxing more open to everyone.

“It’s about affordability. It’s about accessibility.

“That’s why we stick with YouTube. That’s why we stick with TikTok.”

The post “Boxing Isn’t Broken” – Ed Pereira Reveals Vision for the Future of the Sport appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

‘I’m not confident’ – Eddie Hearn QUESTIONS Tyson Fury warm-up fight

Published

14 hours ago

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June 2, 2026

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Fury will most likely fight on August 1. Photo: Mark Robinson

Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury lacks confidence ahead of his clash with Anthony Joshua later this year.

Joshua and Fury have signed a deal to face each other in the highly anticipated all-British blockbuster, which is expected to be staged in November.

“AJ” will be there will face the unknown Albanian Kristian Prenga during warm-ups in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 25.

Fury, who retired to beat Arslanbek Makhmudov on points in April, is also keen to fight again before facing his long-time rival, with an August 1 date being discussed.

Joshua’s promoter Hearn questions the Morecambe fighter’s decision to fight another fight in the meantime, believing it could signal a lack of faith.

Fury will most likely fight on August 1. Photo: Mark Robinson

“He’s going to do what he’s going to do,” the 46-year-old said Sky Sports Boxing.

“And if he feels like he needs a good fight, I like that because it tells me he’s not completely confident.

“He shot 12 good rounds with Makhmudov to the point where you really need more rounds?

“He told us, ‘You don’t need another fight.’

“In two years of boxing, we had four rounds with Jake Paul.

“You had 12 rounds with Makhmudov at Tottenham but you still feel you need more rounds to prepare for Anthony Joshua.

“More rounds won’t assist you, because I can see it.

“When Makhmudov came into that fight, I knew what AJ was going to do.”

Joshua and Prenga face-to-face ahead of July clash Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Joshua and Prenga face-to-face ahead of July clash Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“AJ” came face to face with Prenga at their stadium first press conference on Monday in London.

The 36-year-old will fight for the first time since he knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round in December in Miami.

Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson
Joshua and Fury have signed a contract to fight. Photo: Mark Robinson

10 days after Paul was arrested, the Watford man suffered minor injuries in a fatal car crash that killed two of his close friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, while on holiday in Nigeria.

Joshua has already returned to the training camp in Valencia along with former rival Oleksandr Usyk.

The post ‘I’m not confident’ – Eddie Hearn QUESTIONS Tyson Fury warm-up fight appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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UK Boxing

Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki – odds and betting guide

Published

18 hours ago

on

June 2, 2026

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Chris Billam-Smith will face Ryan Rozicki at Zuffa Boxing's inaugural UK gala on June 6 in Bournemouth Photo: Zuffa Boxing

Chris Billam-Smith is the bookmaker’s favorite to defeat Ryan Rozicki in Saturday’s cruiserweight clash in Bournemouth.

Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) fight with Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO) at Bournemouth International Center live Heavenly sports in the UK and Paramount+ in the US.

The former WBO cruiserweight world champion will enter the fight as a 3/10 favorite Bet365.

The 35-year-old bounced back from a loss to Zurdo Ramirez in their unification clash by defeating Brandon Glanton in April last year. “The Gentleman” is expected to win by the same method on October 11.

The Bournemouth player has not recorded a victory over the distance since he forced Mateusz Masternak to retire in 2023, and a break victory is valued at 11/4.

Chris Billam-Smith will face Ryan Rozicki at Zuffa Boxing’s inaugural UK gala on June 6 in Bournemouth Photo: Zuffa Boxing

Rozicki, the number one contender in the WBC, is a 12/5 underdog Bet365 beat Billam-Smith in his hometown.

The Canadian has recorded 20 stoppages in his 21 victories, and his best route to victory is the distance of 5/1.

In 2022, “The Bruiser” scored points only once in his career, and another success over the distance is estimated at 13/2.

Billam-Smith is fighting for the first time since defeating Glanton last April. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Billam-Smith is fighting for the first time since defeating Glanton last April. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
  • Chris Billam-Smith will win the fight: 3/10
  • Chris Billam-Smith by KO/TKO/DQ: 11/4
  • Chris Billam-Smith by decision or technical decision: 11/10
  • Ryan Rozicki will win the fight: 12/5
  • Ryan Rozicki by KO/TKO/DQ: 5/1
  • Ryan Rozicki by decision or technical decision: 13/2
  • Draw or technical draw: 16/1
Round bets

Chris Billam-Smith

  • Win in round 1: 50/1
  • Win in round 2: 40/1
  • To win in round 3: 33/1
  • To win in round 4: 25/1
  • To win in round 5: 22/1
  • To win in round 6: 20/1
  • To win in round 7: 20/1
  • To win in round 8: 20/1
  • To win in round 9: 22/1
  • To win in round 10: 25/1
  • Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 11/10
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Ryan Różicki

  • To win round 1: 80/1
  • Win in round 2: 66/1
  • Win in round 3: 50/1
  • To win in round 4: 40/1
  • To win in round 5: 33/1
  • To win in round 6: 33/1
  • To win in round 7: 33/1
  • To win in round 8: 33/1
  • To win in round 9: 33/1
  • To win in round 10: 40/1
  • Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 13/2

The post Chris Billam-Smith vs. Ryan Rozicki – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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