Boxing financier Turki Alalshikh has reportedly offered Anthony Joshua a two-fight deal, which includes a Tyson Fury, according to Matchroom chairman, Eddie Hearn.
It is the latest development following confusing scenes that unfolded in London on Saturday, when nobody appeared on the same page after Fury’s lopsided win over Arslanbek Makhmudov — his first fight since back-to-back defeats against Arslanbek Makhmudov in 2024.
Now Fury has un-retired, and returned to the ring, he appears ready for Joshua and even called him out when his career rival was ringside for the Makhmudov fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, on Netflix. But Joshua didn’t even stand up, let alone enter the ring for a face-off that would, no doubt, have gone viral.
Instead, he stayed seated, said something about being a landlord, and that Fury works for him — not the other way around.
Except, perhaps, everyone works for Alalshikh and it’s he who has presented an offer.
The only problem is that the Fury fight isn’t actually next. Per the offer, Joshua will return to the ring in July, before a Fury bout in a Battle of Britain at a yet-to-be determined venue, in November.
Joshua was linked with a February fight against Rico Verhoeven but after a tragic car accident which left the Brit injured and killed two of his close friends, the fight never materialized. The kickboxing icon instead moved on to a bout against Oleksandr Usyk in May, and Joshua continues to physically and mentally recover.
Deontay Wilder recently continued his comeback, beating Derek Chisora earlier this month to become another viable opponent for Joshua. It’s unclear if such a fight could happen next, when the long-awaited Fury bout appears so close.
Joshua’s promoter, Hearn, did describe Wilder, though, as a “warm up” opponent for Fury.
