Boxing
Tyson Fury pushes Anthony Joshua to fight despite uncertain return
Fury, as he prepares for his April 11 fight with Makhmudov, has made it clear that he still sees the long-discussed clash with Joshua as the biggest event in the sport. His comments come at a time when Joshua’s immediate future remains uncertain, with his promoter Eddie Hearn recently indicating that there have been no talks about a return fight.
“Of course, if there’s going to be a fight, let’s do it. Let me get Makhmudov out of the way and we’ll go,” Fury told Sky Sports when asked about Joshua.
Fury went further, repeating a claim he has been making for years about the commercial appeal of the fight.
“The biggest fight for me in world boxing and the biggest fight in the world of boxing is me vs. AJ,” he said. “Even today, even after all these years, it’s still the biggest fight in boxing, still the biggest fight.”
The dignity of these comments is evident. Joshua returned to the gym after a tough period that included a break from training with Daniel Dubois in 2024 and a subsequent personal tragedy that interrupted his activities. Eddie Hearn said last week that although Joshua was training again, there had been no discussions about an opponent or date.
“It’s good to see the guy back in training camp,” Fury said. “He’s obviously had a bit of a coarse patch lately and stuff. So I’ll give him space and whatever he wants, he can do.”
There is also a growing belief among fans that Fury’s return at the age of 37 is as much about the money involved in fighting Joshua as anything else. The fight, once seen as a meeting between two top heavyweights, is now often described as a nostalgic event built on name value. Fury has not been at his best since his trilogy with Deontay Wilder, while Joshua’s position changed after his 2019 knockout defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr., then a overdue replacement.
Fury is focusing, at least publicly, quickly on the task at hand before him. Makhmudov is a threatening heavyweight assignment, but Fury has talked about approving the fight as a step towards a bigger payday.
The difference between talk and action has already defined this clash. A planned undisputed fight for 2021 fizzled out when Deontay Wilder exercised his contractual right to face Fury in a third fight, and the division has since gone in different directions.
Fury continues to speak as if the fight is still waiting. Joshua’s team has not yet indicated that he is even on the table.
Chris Billam-Smith believes Ryan Rozicki is taking his opportunity seriously, but he doesn’t think a single training camp will make up for the years spent competing at the next level.
The former WBO cruiserweight champion will return against Rozicki in Bournemouth on Saturday, with the winner moving closer to a major fight in the division led by Jai Opetai.
Billam-Smith was asked if Rozicki truly believed he belonged at this level.
“I believe he thinks he’s been given an opportunity. He takes it very seriously and does everything he has to do. But sometimes it’s just not enough. Sometimes you’re just not good enough,” Billiam-Smith told ProBox TV.
“I think he is what he is in terms of his punching power, his physique and what he does. But sometimes there are things you can’t just incorporate in training camp. When I’ve been doing it for so long and been at the next level for so long, you can’t just make up for it in one training camp.”
Rozicki comes into the fight with a reputation as one of the toughest fighters in the division and has repeatedly talked about ending the fight by knockout. Billam-Smith acknowledged the threat but believes experience will be a factor when they meet.
“He’s talked about it before: ‘I win by knockout or I get knocked out.’ So there’s no doubt in my mind that he knows he can get beat.
“But I think he thinks it’s a good opportunity.”
Saturday’s fight is Billam-Smith’s first appearance since his points win over Brandon Glanton in April 2025. A victory will put him in top cruiserweight fights, including a potential clash with Ring magazine champion Jai Opetaia.
“For me, I think he believes he has a chance and will give it his all. But the Jai Opetaia fight is the one I want at the moment. It’s the next step, but I have to take care of things on Saturday first.”
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Last update: 2026/06/04 at 11:24
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