Tyson Fury Calls For Oleksandr Usyk Trilogy As Anthony Joshua Talks Stall

Tyson Fury has said he is looking for a new opponent for November and has challenged Oleksandr Usyk to a third fight, deepening doubts over the long-awaited Anthony Joshua bout.

Fury and Joshua are contracted to meet later this year, but the proposed all-British heavyweight fight remains without an official venue announcement amid a dispute over whether it should take place in the UK or the United States.

Venue dispute stalls Joshua fight

The Joshua-Fury fight has been targeted for November 20, with Saudi Arabian promoter Sela fronting the bill and Netflix attached to the event. Both fighters have signed individual contracts, but Joshua’s agreement stipulates that the contest must take place in the UK, while BoxingScene has reported that Fury’s contract does not specify the UK.

Sela and Netflix are understood to favour staging the fight in America, with Madison Square Garden in New York emerging as the preferred venue because of the potential to reach a wider US audience. Joshua and Eddie Hearn have stood by the UK clause, and Hearn said talks had reopened over bringing the fight to Wembley Stadium after London Mayor Sadiq Khan publicly backed the idea.

A Wembley fight would carry logistical complications, including the stadium’s existing 11pm curfew, which would need to be extended by at least three hours if the event were to suit a US broadcast window. Khan told BBC Sport: "A message to the promoters – we want to host it in London. Talk to us, we're really keen to have it," adding, "I'm hoping the promoters understand that not only will you get 100,000 people watching this bout live, you'll get millions watching it across the globe, where both boxers are cheered on by their loyal fans."

BBC Sport reported that Sela had contacted the London mayor’s office in recent weeks about taking the fight to the national stadium, but that talks had not progressed further since last week. Hearn had hoped for an announcement in the coming week, but Fury’s latest intervention has made that increasingly uncertain.

Fury turns back to Usyk

In an expletive-laden Instagram video, Fury accused Joshua of backing away from the fight and shifted his attention to Usyk, who has twice beaten him on points. Fury said: "This will only lead me to a fight with Oleksandr Usyk."

Addressing Usyk directly, Fury added: "Oleksandr you're his [Joshua's] trainer and his sensei and you know he is a weak minded… and that he would never fight the Gypsy King which you have had the guts to do twice."

Fury continued: "You got the decisions last time, fair play to you. Good luck to you, let's do it again. Let's run it back in November. The ball is now in your court… do you want to fight me this year, 2026, or are you calling quits? Let me know because I am now looking for a new opponent."

Usyk, now 25-0, beat Fury by decision in May 2024 to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years, then outpointed him again in their rematch seven months later. The Ukrainian later vacated his three heavyweight world titles in June and said he wanted one “last dance” before retirement.

Fury, 36-2-1, and Joshua, 30-4, both won tune-up fights in July that were expected to lead into their meeting, though Joshua was dropped twice by Kristian Prenga before stopping him in the second round. Usyk was also said to have looked short of his best in May when he stopped Rico Verhoeven, a Dutch kickboxer boxing for only the second time.

Usyk’s training team, led by Sergey Lapin, is now working with Joshua, adding another layer to Fury’s call-out. Usyk has also been linked with Deontay Wilder, and BoxingScene has reported that he is thought to be close to confirming a bout with the former WBC heavyweight champion.

For now, Joshua-Fury remains tied up in venue negotiations rather than formally cancelled. The immediate question is whether Sela, Netflix, Hearn and the fighters can resolve the UK-versus-US dispute, or whether Fury’s public push for Usyk becomes the next heavyweight negotiation.