Anthony Joshua issues cryptic message to Tyson Fury just days after brutally snubbing face off

Ed Griffiths
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:42:10 +0000

Anthony Joshua has delivered a cryptic message to Tyson Fury, posting footage of himself back in training just days after declining a ringside confrontation with his heavyweight rival.

The 2012 Olympic champion uploaded an Instagram carousel on Monday featuring a video of himself working on an exercise bike.

The clip panned to reveal a poster of a young Mike Tyson adorning the wall, bearing the words "I fear no one", a statement that appears to be directed at Fury.

The post comes after Joshua turned down the chance for a first-ever staredown with Fury at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening.

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The 36-year-old has maintained he will not be dictated to by his fellow former two-time world champion.

Fury made his return to the ring on Saturday after 16 months away, securing a comprehensive points victory over Makhmudov at the north London venue.

The judges awarded the contest unanimously in Fury's favour, with scorecards reading 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109.

It marked the Gypsy King's first appearance since suffering consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk last year.

Following his dominant display against the fifth-ranked contender, Fury seized the microphone and called Joshua into the ring.

Fury said: "Let's give the fans what they want - the battle of Britain."

Joshua, watching from his ringside seat, initially responded with silence before refusing to join his rival in the squared circle.

The Watford fighter insisted he would not perform to Fury's tune after spending nearly a decade attempting to finalise the bout.

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When Joshua did eventually address Fury, he branded his rival a "clout chaser" and rejected any suggestion he had avoided the confrontation.

Joshua said: "I've never had a problem getting in the ring with you. I punched you when we were kids. After watching you tonight, I'd do it again. I run the game, you know I run the game. I'm a serious fighter. I'm very strong. When I hit Fury, I'm going to hurt him."

He acknowledged he is still processing the aftermath of a fatal car accident in Nigeria last December, which claimed the lives of two close friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

He confirmed: "I'm not ducking anyone. Once I'm 100 per cent, I'll fight."

Joshua added: "If I'm honest with you right now, until we're in the ring there is no fight with him. I've been here three or four times before with Wilder and Fury."

Fury, meanwhile, issued an ultimatum during his post-fight press conference, claiming he has already signed a contract for the bout.

The Manchester fighter threatened to walk away from the sport permanently if the Joshua showdown fails to happen.

Fury said: "If it ain't Anthony Joshua next, I'm not interested in boxing. I'll eat a 1,000 Easter eggs, go up to 35 stone, I'm out. It's either him or I'm gone again. I don't care about rankings. I don't care about belts. I only care now about AJ - that's the defining fight for British boxing."