Tyson Fury calls for Oleksandr Usyk trilogy, labels Anthony Joshua 'weak-minded' amid megafight delays
Published 07/09/2026 at 11:13 GMT+1
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Tyson Fury has called Anthony Joshua "weak-minded" and claimed he will instead pursue a third fight against Oleksandr Usyk as he looks for "a new opponent". Usyk, who is now part of Joshua's training team, beat Fury twice in 2024, inflicting the only defeats of The Gypsy King's career.
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The long-awaited all-British bout between Fury and Joshua has been scheduled for November, with both fighters signing contracts with Saudi Arabian promoter Sela to commit to the contest.
But disputes over where it will take place have led to delays, with organisers pushing for a US venue instead of Joshua's choice - and reported contractual obligation - of Wembley.
In a video on Instagram, Fury suggested Joshua was no longer willing to fight him.
"This will only lead me to a fight with Oleksandr Usyk," he said.
"Oleksandr, you're his [Joshua's] trainer and his sensei and you know he is weak-minded... and that he would never fight The Gypsy King, which you have had the guts to do twice.
"You got the decisions last time, fair play to you. Good luck to you, let's do it again. Let's run it back in November.
"The ball is now in your court... do you want to fight me this year, 2026, or are you calling quits? Let me know because I am now looking for a new opponent."
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Joshua's contract for the proposed fight stipulates that it must be held in the UK, but both Sela and broadcasters Netflix reportedly want New York City's Madison Square Garden.
The 36-year-old's promoter, Eddie Hearn, is said to be renegotiating terms in the contract, although London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has called for the fight to take place in the capital.
In an earlier video on Instagram, Fury claimed he would fight Joshua anywhere, amid rumours that he also preferred the US.
"Tyson only wants to fight in America? Are you joking or what?" said the 38-year-old, who beat Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May and Mariusz Wach in Thailand in July.
"Tyson is not in charge of this fight, Tyson didn't put the money up for this fight, Tyson's not the paymaster.
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"Lovely if it's in England, even better. Prime time England, 10 o'clock, Wembley Stadium, 100,000 people. Why wouldn't I want it in England?
"This fight's been moved four or five times to a different location: Ireland, England, Las Vegas, New York. I've said yes to all of them. I'll fight, no problem, let's get it on.
"If I agree to tie both hands behind my back and wear solid cement boots, Anthony Joshua would never get in the ring with me because I'll annihilate him."
He added: "I'll fight anywhere. I'll fight in Brazil, I'll fight in Morecambe, I'll fight in Derby, I'll fight in Costa del Sol. I'll fight on Mars!"
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