Tyson Fury has called on Anthony Joshua to face him next and “forget Deontay Wilder,” if he comes through his bout with Arslanbek Makhmudov this Saturday.
Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) is set to return from retirement after 16 months out, taking on Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Although the 37-year-old insists he is not overlooking his opponent, he made a strong appeal to Joshua on Wednesday, urging him to skip any interim fight.
Wilder recently came face-to-face with Joshua following his win over Derek Chisora at the O2 Arena, calling out the British-Nigerian star.
“That fight has been talked about so many times over the last decade, but something always gets in the way—someone takes another fight, or someone gets injured or knocked out,” Fury said.
“I think we should make it happen as soon as possible, before anything else interferes. In heavyweight boxing, anything can happen—there are no easy fights, and one mistake can end it all.
“I want the fight next, and I believe AJ wants the same.”
Despite years of on-and-off discussions, the all-British showdown has yet to happen.
Joshua recently returned to the public eye in the UK, attending ringside as Wilder defeated Chisora. He is still rebuilding his career after a tragic accident in Nigeria last December that claimed the lives of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
While his promoter, Eddie Hearn, has suggested a warm-up fight first, Fury made it clear he wants no delays.
“Forget Wilder—he’s not the same fighter anymore. Forget anyone else,” Fury said. “Let me get through Saturday, then we make the fight happen before the end of the year.
“I’ve been out longer than Joshua—16 months. Let’s do it, let’s dance.”
Joshua last fought in December, beating Jake Paul, months after suffering a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois.
