Tyson Fury has issued an ultimatum that he will walk away from boxing permanently and let his weight soar to 35 stone if a showdown with Anthony Joshua fails to materialise.
The Gypsy King made clear his future in the sport hinges entirely on securing the long-awaited Battle of Britain clash with his domestic rival.
Speaking after his 12-round points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Fury said: "Here’s the thing. If it ain’t Anthony Joshua next, I’m not interested in boxing. I’ll eat 1,000 Easter eggs, go up to 35 stone, I’m out.
"I’m not interested. It’s either him or I’m gone again. I’m not interested at all. I’m not interested in up and comers."
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He added: “I’m not interested in someone trying to prove a point over me. I don’t care. I don’t care about rankings. I don’t care about belts.
"I only care now about that AJ fight, that’s the defining fight for British boxing, you know, it’s either going to happen or it’s not."
However, Fury also left the door open to an alternative, suggesting a third encounter with Oleksandr Usyk could happen if Joshua declines.
"If AJ don't want it, let's get Usyk in the trilogy. BUT I need some f***ing fair play," Fury stated regarding the Ukrainian who defeated him on two occasions.
Tyson Fury has issued an ultimatum that he will walk away from boxing permanently if a showdown with Anthony Joshua fails to materialise
|GETTY
The 37-year-old returned from a 16-month hiatus with a points decision over Arslanbek Makhmudov across 12 rounds at Tottenham's £1billion venue.
Joshua, 36, watched from ringside, filming the action on his phone.
When Fury beckoned his rival into the ring for an unprecedented official face-off, Joshua responded with a middle finger and cold stare.
Joshua has been recuperating from injuries sustained in a fatal car crash in Nigeria last December, which claimed the lives of childhood friend Kevin Latif Ayodele and recovery therapist Sina Ghami.
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Tyson Fury made clear his future in the sport hinges entirely on securing the long-awaited Battle of Britain clash with his domestic rival
|GETTY
Regarding the rumoured fight, Joshua told Netflix: "We’ll see. I was just in a serious incident, maybe four months ago.
"So I really need to check out what’s going on in my return to the ring. But I’m here, I’m keeping my eye in the game.
"There’s real stuff happening in my life. It’s not like I’m ducking no one. I know what my job is, I know what I’m here to do.
"There’s just real stuff happening in my life that I’ve got to attend to. Once I’m 100 per cent, I’ll be ready."
Tyson Fury beckoned his rival into the ring for an unprecedented official face-off
|GETTY
Fury responded: "God knows I’ve had problems myself. I’ve attempted to kill myself before. So I’ve been through it. I’ve been up and down. I’ve been one step out of the mental institution.
"So we’ve all had problems and that’s life unfortunately and you know if you’re in this game you’re either a boxer or you’re not."
Netflix announced on social media that the autumn bout is confirmed for their platform, despite Joshua's existing arrangement with DAZN.
Frank Warren, Fury's longtime promoter, disputed claims the fight is finalised, though Fury maintains he has already signed his portion of the agreement.
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