Fury Wants the Right Deal Before Agreeing to Joshua Fight

Promoter Frank Warren says Tyson Fury will fight Anthony Joshua in 2026 “if it’s the right deal,” and claims the bout could happen in seven months. That comment tells you everything, because it means Fury wants a fortune before he agrees to the fight.

Money Comes First

That’s where it falls apart, because Fury has lost his last two fights to Oleksandr Usyk and struggled badly before that against Francis Ngannou, who was making his first pro boxing fight, a bout many fans felt Fury lost. Asking for something close to $100 million off the back of that doesn’t make sense after the way Tyson has looked in those fights.

If Fury prices himself out, the backup plan is a third fight with Usyk, and that’s not appealing. Fans have already watched Fury lose twice, and a trilogy would look more like a fight happening because there’s nothing else left.

“There’s nothing been signed yet, but Tyson’s indicated if it’s the right deal, he’ll definitely do it,” Warren said to Sky Sports News.

Turki Has a Decision

When Turki Alalshikh looks at this, he has to consider name value and Fury’s recent form, because in real life, failure doesn’t get rewarded. If you underperform repeatedly, you don’t get a raise, and handing Fury top-tier money after three poor outings would set a bad example.

“I do believe it will happen,” Warren added. “He may have a warm-up fight, but if it happens, it’ll be sometime in late summer.”

Risk of Another Loss

A tune-up makes sense because Fury needs one to show fans he’s not finished. But if Turki sets it up, there has to be an escape clause, because if Fury loses that fight, going ahead with Joshua would be pointless.

“When it does happen, I think it’s going to be massive,” Warren said.

For that tune-up, Fury shouldn’t face a total unknown. He needs someone fans recognize who doesn’t bring much risk, and a fringe contender like David Adeleye fits that purpose.

Anything less than Adeleye only strengthens what many already think, that Fury is being paid for what he did years ago, not what he is now.