The highly anticipated showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been a topic of discussion for years, with both fighters circling each other without ever locking horns in the ring. As Fury prepares to face Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night, live on TNT Sports Box Office, many fans across Britain are eager to see whether a clash between these two giants of boxing will materialize before they both decide to retire. The stakes are higher now than ever, especially considering the historical context and rivalries that have developed over the years.
A few years back, a bout between Fury and Joshua seemed imminent. However, various circumstances, particularly Usyk’s rise in the heavyweight ranks, derailed those plans. In 2021, the expectation was that Fury and Joshua would square off for an undisputed championship, but Fury was compelled to meet Deontay Wilder for their trilogy rematch, a fight he successfully navigated, retaining his WBC title. Meanwhile, Joshua found himself defending his titles against Usyk, who had transitioned from cruiserweight to heavyweight with great success. Usyk’s victories over Joshua not only established him as a formidable heavyweight champion but also paved the way for a potential future clash with Fury, who now faces a crucial encounter against Usyk.
In a recent interview with TNT Sports, Tyson Fury expressed his feelings regarding a potential fight with Joshua, stating that it would be a “travesty” if they did not finally meet in the ring. He emphasized that regardless of Joshua’s future successes or failures, their fight must happen to settle their ongoing rivalry. This sentiment resonated with fans, who have long desired to see the Britons face off. Fury’s determination indicates that even if Joshua’s career takes unexpected turns, the idea of this historic bout remains essential in the minds of both fighters and their supporters.
On the promotional side, Bob Arum, one of Fury’s co-promoters, echoed this sentiment and noted that Joshua remains at the forefront of Fury’s thoughts, particularly if Fury emerges victorious against Usyk. He suggested the possibility of this long-anticipated match taking place at Wembley Stadium, heightening the excitement among boxing fans. Arum reinforced the idea that a Joshua bout could supersede a potential trilogy fight between Fury and Usyk, indicating how much weight the British clash carries in the boxing world.
However, Frank Warren, Fury’s other promoter, added a layer of caution, stating that Fury’s next opponent is likely to be Usyk, irrespective of the outcome this weekend. Warren mentioned that any clash with Joshua is not realistically feasible until at least the latter half of 2025. Yet, should Usyk retain all belts, there’s always a possibility that he might choose to retire, which would clear the pathway for the eagerly awaited Fury vs. Joshua match.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, also weighed in on the situation, revealing that Joshua aims to either face Fury or Daniel Dubois next, following his defeat to Dubois in September. The loss was a significant setback for Joshua, who was aiming to reclaim his status as a three-time world champion. Hearn stressed that despite recent defeats, Joshua is well positioned to secure a notable fight soon and has little interest in facing lower-profile opponents.
For fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming bout between Usyk and Fury, there are several ways to watch the event. Customers with EE TV can tune in via channel 494, while those with Virgin Media can find it under live events in their On-Demand section. Furthermore, Prime Video offers access to the event without the necessity of a subscription. The streaming service discovery+ is also available for TNT Sports enthusiasts in the UK, providing a comprehensive viewing experience.
In summary, the boxing community is at a pivotal moment where the long-standing expectation of a Fury-Joshua fight hangs in the balance. With both fighters having significant challenges ahead, the outcome of these next bouts might determine if they will finally settle their rivalry.
