The short version
- Tyson Fury has publicly challenged Oleksandr Usyk to a rematch, despite having signed contracts to face Anthony Joshua in November.
- Disagreements over the fight location have stalled official announcements, with promoters favoring New York and Joshua insisting on a UK venue.
- London officials are actively lobbying to host the event at Wembley Stadium, citing potential global viewership benefits.
Tyson Fury has reignited speculation regarding his next major bout by publicly challenging Oleksandr Usyk, even as he remains under contractual obligation to fight Anthony Joshua. The British heavyweight champion posted a video on social media asserting that he is seeking a new opponent for November and directly addressing Usyk, the two-time undisputed champion who previously defeated him twice. Fury’s comments suggest a willingness to bypass his scheduled contest with Joshua, claiming that his rival is backing out of the agreement.
The prospect of a Fury-Joshua showdown has been in development for some time, with both fighters signing individual contracts with Sela, a Saudi Arabian promotional company. The bout was initially targeted for November, but progress toward an official announcement has stalled due to unresolved logistical disputes. Central to these delays is the question of venue, which has created friction between the promoters and the fighters’ respective camps.
Anthony Joshua’s contract specifically mandates that the fight take place in the United Kingdom. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has been engaged in renegotiations to ensure this condition is met. However, Sela and its broadcasting partner, Netflix, have expressed a strong preference for staging the event at Madison Square Garden in New York. This divergence in location preferences has complicated efforts to finalize the deal, leaving the status of the November date uncertain.
In response to the impasse, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has made a public appeal to host the fight at Wembley Stadium. Khan emphasized the potential for massive global viewership and live attendance, noting that both boxers have loyal fan bases in the UK. He indicated that his office is ready to support the event and has been in contact with Sela regarding the possibility of bringing the contest to London’s national stadium.
Despite these outreach efforts, talks between Sela and the mayor’s office appear to have stalled recently. Hearn had previously suggested that an announcement might be imminent, but recent developments make this unlikely. The delay has provided Fury with the opportunity to pivot his public narrative, using social media to question Joshua’s commitment and simultaneously issue a challenge to Usyk.
Fury’s video message was confrontational in tone, accusing Joshua of lacking mental fortitude and suggesting that Usyk, who is currently part of Joshua’s training team, knows this weakness. He referenced their previous encounters, acknowledging Usyk’s past victories while demanding another match. Fury framed the situation as a choice for Usyk, asking whether he wants to fight in 2026 or retire from competition.
The involvement of Usyk in Joshua’s camp adds a layer of complexity to the dynamics. As a former opponent who has twice bested Fury, Usyk holds significant sway in the heavyweight division. His current role as a coach and trainer for Joshua places him at the center of this controversy, bridging the gap between the two British fighters while also being the target of Fury’s latest provocation.
If the fight were to move to Wembley, logistical challenges remain. A bout held in London would likely need to occur in the early hours of the morning to accommodate television audiences in the United States. Mayor Khan stated that his team is willing to support such a scheduling adjustment to maximize global reach. This flexibility could be a deciding factor in resolving the venue dispute.
The uncertainty surrounding the Joshua-Fury contract leaves open the possibility of alternative matchups. Fury’s public declaration that he is looking for a new opponent signals a readiness to pivot if the current deal collapses. Whether this is a strategic maneuver to pressure promoters or a genuine shift in plans remains unclear, but it has undoubtedly intensified interest in the heavyweight landscape.
As negotiations continue, the focus remains on whether Sela can reconcile the conflicting demands of its partners and the fighters. The outcome will determine not only the venue and date of the bout but also the future trajectory of Tyson Fury’s career. With Usyk issuing a silent response through his continued work with Joshua, the stage is set for further developments in the coming weeks.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Fury says he is looking for new opponent, calls out Usyk
