Anthony Joshua has raised questions regarding Tyson Fury’s drug testing status ahead of their long-anticipated heavyweight bout scheduled for December 12 in Cardiff. The two former world heavyweight champions are expected to officially announce their fight this week, which will take place at the Principality Stadium.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, indicated that confusion stemming from differing contracts between the fighters has delayed the commencement of mandatory drug testing. Hearn did not accuse Fury of wrongdoing but suggested that the contracts included varying drug-testing protocols, complicating the enforcement of consistent procedures. “The drug-testing protocol is the same as what has always been in the contract. It wasn’t adhered to in its form,” Hearn said, adding that he does not necessarily blame Fury. “I don’t think what’s in AJ’s contract is the same as what is in Fury’s contract.”
Joshua, 36, reportedly signed his contract in April with specific stipulations, including a clause that the fight must take place in the United Kingdom. Fury, 38, signed his contract earlier, in January, as part of a three-fight agreement. External parties, including Netflix as a broadcaster partner, attempted to move the fight to the United States, but Joshua’s camp remained firm on a UK venue, resulting in the selection of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, which features a retractable roof.
The dispute regarding drug testing came into public view when Joshua shared a screenshot of an email from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) with the caption, “I’m not accusing TF of anything,” followed by a photo of Pinocchio, implying skepticism. The email questioned whether Fury had enrolled in the voluntary drug testing program, noting that typically both fighters are registered simultaneously and that whereabouts information is required for enrollment.
Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, responded by stating that once the fight is officially finalized, Fury’s team will be the first to contact VADA to begin the drug testing process. The comments reflect a desire to move forward once all contractual elements are settled.
The issue of drug testing carries additional historical context. In 2017, Fury and his cousin Hughie received backdated UK Anti-Doping bans after testing positive for nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, in 2015. Both fighters attributed the positive results to contaminated meat, a defense accepted at the time but one that remains a notable part of Fury’s history.
As both camps work through the contractual and procedural details, the bout remains poised to deliver a significant event in British boxing this December.