Anthony Joshua Challenges Tyson Fury To Fight Moses Itauma

Joshua tells Fury to take the unbeaten heavyweight test himself after previously recommending Itauma as an opponent

Anthony Joshua challenged Tyson Fury to fight unbeaten heavyweight contender Moses Itauma after Fury previously suggested Joshua should take that matchup. Joshua’s comments add another layer to the long-running rivalry as both former champions prepare for comeback fights.

Fury recently suggested that Joshua should fight the unbeaten heavyweight prospect while Joshua was searching for an opponent for his July 25 return. Instead, Joshua agreed to face Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia, while Fury is still looking for an opponent for his planned August comeback.

Joshua turned Fury’s recommendation back on him.

“Is he fighting Itauma? He was saying to me when I was looking for an opponent … fight Itauma. So I think that would be a perfect name,” said Johua to talkSPORT Boxing.

“They’re all under the same promotion. So if Fury is what he says he is, maybe he should step forward. And Frank [Warren] should put his fighter forward instead of worrying about what I’m up to.”

Joshua made the comments while discussing Fury’s search for an opponent. The former heavyweight champion has long been linked to a showdown with Fury, with both men expected to meet later this year if they win their respective return fights.

Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about young heavyweights in boxing. The 21-year-old stopped Dillian Whyte in the first round before following up with a fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin in his most recent appearance.

Frank Warren has indicated that Itauma is expected to return on August 8, with Filip Hrgovic among the names reportedly being considered as a potential opponent.

Whether Fury has any interest in facing Itauma remains unclear. However, Joshua’s response made one thing clear: if Fury believes Itauma is the right test for other heavyweights, Joshua thinks he should be willing to take that challenge himself.