Anthony Joshua recently articulated his wish to face off against Tyson Fury in what he calls a must-have fight in 2025. He emphasized the need for this bout, stating, “It has to happen this year.” Joshua’s last ring appearance was in September against Daniel Dubois. The match, held at Wembley, resulted in a knockout loss for Joshua while he was vying for the IBF heavyweight title. This defeat has opened a floodgate of speculation surrounding a potential clash between two of boxing’s biggest names: Joshua and Fury.
At the prestigious Ring Magazine Awards, Joshua expressed his enthusiasm for the fight, acknowledging that he is not only a participant but also a fan of the sport. “It’s a fight that I want to see,” he stated, revealing that the persistent inquiries from fans and the boxing community alike have only fueled his desire. “When I’m in the gym, everyone’s asking me, and the reason why I decided to do some interesting stuff is because I ain’t got many years ahead of me,” he declared, alluding to a career that he feels is on the waning side.
Joshua is keen on leaving a mark in boxing before his time in the sport concludes. “What I want to do is leave the game with a bang and make an impact, be outlandish, a great character, have fun with it while we’re doing it and go for the big fights, and Tyson Fury is one of them,” he articulated. His passion for boxing is palpable, and he confirmed what his fans have been clamoring for, recalling the questions he receives from various communities, including the Irish, English, and Nigerian, all inquiring about a potential Fury matchup.
With several significant figures supporting him—namely His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, DAZN, Eddie Hearn, Matchroom, and 258—Joshua is optimistic about making this high-stakes bout a reality. On the question of whether any discussions regarding the much-anticipated fight have commenced, Joshua candidly replied that such conversations serve as the preliminary spark needed to get the ball rolling. “If we’re not talking about Tyson Fury, it’s not happening,” he noted emphatically. Furthermore, he hinted at encouraging signs, mentioning Turki’s recent interview in which he expressed a keen interest in the fight.
After a period of recuperation post his last match, Joshua reiterated his readiness to return to competitive boxing. “After my last fight, I took some time out,” he explained. In focusing on his recovery, he consciously declined various business opportunities to concentrate on the sport. By prioritizing his mental and physical well-being, he feels revitalized and prepared for action in 2025.
In another intriguing boxing development, Chris Eubank Jr provided updates about his prospective fight with Conor Benn, which has generated considerable excitement among boxing fans in the UK. Eubank Jr assured that “that fight will happen,” revealing that negotiations are progressing smoothly. He stated that they are in the final stages of sorting out the remaining details before an official announcement can be made. The anticipation for this matchup has been amplified due to its original scheduling in October 2022, which was postponed after Benn faced a positive test for a banned substance.
In summation, both Anthony Joshua and Chris Eubank Jr are gearing up for potentially monumental fights in 2025, with Joshua being keen on taking on Fury and Eubank Jr looking to finalize a match with Benn. The boxing community is buzzing with excitement, and as these narratives evolve, fans are eager to see how these fights unfold. With streaming services such as discovery+ serving as gateways for enthusiasts to catch all the action, the future of boxing in the UK appears bright and brimming with potential.
