Tyson Fury

Sporting his Christmas jumper, Tyson Fury has a foul-mouthed rant at Anthony Joshua

Fury, seldom short of a word or an opportunity to promote his clothing range, unleashed a tirade against Joshua, who knocked out challenger Kubrat Pulev, of Bulgaria, in the ninth round on Saturday night (Sunday NZT) at Wembley Arena.

Joshua was initially reluctant to mention a fight against Fury for the undisputed heavyweight crown in his post-bout interview, asking instead for the crowd for their opinion. Under further questioning on Sky Sport UK, he said “Whoever has the belt I would love to compete with them. If that is Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury.’’

Anthony Joshua defending titles against Kubrat Pulev with Tyson Fury fight on horizon

The WBA, IBF and WBO belts are back in his possession. An agreement in principle has been reached with Tyson Fury, the WBC champion, for a two-fight deal in 2021 to unify the titles in an all-British blockbuster.

Nothing is ever straightforward in boxing – especially when arranging what would be one of the biggest fights in a generation, perhaps the biggest ever in Britain – but it appears there's one major obstacle in the way of an eagerly awaited Joshua-Fury bout next year.

Kubrat Pulev.

Tyson Fury questions heavyweight credentials of Oleksandr Usyk

"The Gypsy King' says the Ukrainian would be a "lamb to the slaughter" against the elite of the division, despite a flawless professional record.

After a few troublesome moments in the early rounds, Usyk dispatched Brit Derek Chisora last month with relative ease, earning a unanimous decision victory against the power-punching veteran. 

That win has guaranteed the London 2012 gold medallist a future fight with Anthony Joshua, who reigns as WBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight champion.

Joshua and Fury agree two fight deal

The discussions over an undisputed world heavyweight title showdown between the two fighters began in early May and they have now agreed on initial terms for two encounters.

Joshua holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts, while Fury is the reigning WBC champion.

"We're making great progress," Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports News. "There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates.

"We have the Dillian Whyte mandatory which is due before this fight.

Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder may take place at Sydney

The heavyweights were working towards a third fight for July in Las Vegas, but the global coronavirus pandemic forced those plans to be scrapped and now they're fielding offers from countries eager to host the bout.

Earlier this month, Fury's co-promoter Bob Arum told Sky Sports UK that Macau and Australia were two potential options, and the latter now seems the preferred option, with Lonergan working through plans to stage the fight downunder. 

Arum previously promoted Manny Pacquiao's fight against Jeff Horn, who is promoted by Lonergan in Brisbane, Australia.

Fury plans to fight until he's 40

The 31-year-old has two fights remaining on his current contract and had previously spoken of his desire to walk away from boxing at the conclusion of that deal to spend more time with his family.

Having stopped Deontay Wilder to win the WBC title in February, Fury was set to fight the American for a third time this year before the coronavirus pandemic put boxing on hold.

And now, with talk of a unification bout against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua continuing to gain traction, Fury has suggested he is not hanging up his gloves any time soon.

Hearn regrets not signing Fury

Matchroom promoter Hearn said he had tentative discussions with Fury about joining his stable when the pair were both in Monaco in 2017 but a deal was not agreed.

Fury had battled problems with recreational drugs and depression in the two years since dethroning WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, while he ballooned to 27 stone in weight.

Earlier this year, Fury completed a remarkable turnaround to defeat Deontay Wilder and become the WBC heavyweight champion.

Fury accepts WWE challenge

McIntyre defeated Lesnar at WrestleMania 36 and called out WBC heavyweight champion Fury after his historic victory.

In response, Fury ridiculed Lesnar, whose actual age is 42, and claimed he would have "set about" both wrestlers had he not been prevented from attending the event due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fury has appeared in WWE before, defeating Braun Strowman at the company's Crown Jewel show in Saudi Arabia last October.

He thinks that experience will stand him in good stead to take on McIntyre, who became the first British world champion in WWE history.

Parker up for Fury collaboration

Parker's boxing revival is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the former world heavyweight champion has showed he has plenty of strings to his bow during lockdown.

The New Zealander attempted to lift the gloom by starring in uplifting videos while in quarantine, first showing off his moves in a recreation of the 'Dancing Prime Minister' scene from the film Love Actually.

Parker then strutted his stuff while lip-syncing to The Foundations' smash hit Build Me up Buttercup, also demonstrating his prowess with a guitar and on the piano.

Joshua or Fury Both, says Usyk

Fury completed a stunning seven-round demolition of knockout specialist Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas last month to collect the WBC title, while countryman Joshua holds the other three major heavyweight belts after avenging his defeat to Andy Ruiz with a comprehensive points win last December.

Usyk, who is like Fury undefeated and has a London 2012 gold medal in common with Joshua, cleaned out the cruiserweight division and has similar designs having stepped up to take on boxing's big men.