Anthony Joshua has expressed frustration with promoters and stakeholders involved in his upcoming bout against Tyson Fury, suggesting that they favor his opponent and want him to lose. The two British heavyweight fighters are scheduled to face off on December 11, with ongoing disputes surrounding the fight's arrangements and promotional aspects.
Joshua, 36, voiced his belief that influential figures in boxing, including Saudi Arabian backer Turki Al-Sheikh, UFC promoter Dana White, and streaming service Netflix, support Fury, 38, over him. The initial plan proposed by Netflix and these parties was to hold the fight at Madison Square Garden in New York, a move reportedly intended to boost Netflix’s subscriber base in the U.S. However, Joshua has pushed back against this, emphasizing his desire to keep the fight in the United Kingdom.
A contract disagreement also emerged over the anti-doping protocol. Joshua insisted that Fury enter the Vada drug-testing program immediately after they agreed to the bout in April. Fury, who has not been implicated in any wrongdoing, only signed up for the program recently, shortly before the announcement of the fight. The final promotional materials put Fury as the main attraction, with his name and image featured prominently on the event poster, despite Joshua’s earlier involvement in bringing Saudi Arabian investment to major boxing events starting in 2019. Fury, who only began receiving Saudi funding four years later, appears to have become the organization’s primary focus.
Addressing accusations that some fans harbor ill will toward him, Joshua referenced a past incident where he read a speech following the murder of George Floyd, urging people to support black-owned businesses. Joshua said some misinterpreted his words as divisive, but clarified he respects everyone regardless of race, religion, or background. “If you’re a good person, you’re a good person,” he said, emphasizing his intent was to stand against injustice.
Despite tensions, Fury recently described Joshua as a role model. Joshua has also reunited with former Fury trainer Ben Davison to prepare for the fight, having previously worked with Oleksandr Usyk’s team. Joshua remarked on Fury’s confident persona, stating that his strategy will be to surpass Fury’s bravado rather than merely match it.
Both fighters appear set for a highly anticipated clash, with underlying tensions reflecting not only their rivalry but also differing interests among the promoters and commercial partners involved. The bout on December 11 is expected to draw significant attention, with Joshua determined to overcome what he perceives as an uneven playing field.