Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has declared that his long-awaited all-British showdown against Anthony Joshua is officially off, challenging undefeated Ukrainian fighter Oleksandr Usyk to a third bout in November 2026 instead.
Fury announced the breakdown of negotiations on Sunday evening, releasing a strongly worded video message targeting Joshua before turning his attention toward Usyk, who is currently weighing options for a final appearance before retiring from professional boxing.
Fury Blames Joshua Camp For Failed Negotiations
Negotiations for the lucrative contest between the two British heavyweights had gathered pace following tune-up victories for both fighters in July, where Joshua survived two knockdowns against Kristian Prenga before securing a stoppage.
However, talks once again collapsed without agreement on a confirmed date, venue, or revenue distribution.
Fury laid the blame directly on his long-time domestic rival, accusing him of lacking the courage to sign the contract and describing him as weak-minded, claiming the stalled talks left him with no choice but to move on.
Usyk Handed November Ultimatum For Final Appearance
With the domestic mega fight dead, Fury challenged Usyk to settle their rivalry inside the ropes for a third time.
The Ukrainian outpointed Fury in May 2024 to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years, before repeating the victory in their rematch seven months later.
Usyk vacated three of his world title belts in June, announcing he wanted one last dance before hanging up his gloves.
Fury directly challenged the 25-0 southpaw on social media, stating that the decision rests entirely with the Ukrainian to accept a November date or formally step away from the sport.
He demanded to know whether Usyk wanted to run the fight back in 2026 or call it quits, emphasizing that he is actively searching for a new opponent if the trilogy cannot be finalized immediately.
The Ukrainian camp has not yet responded to the callout, having recently evaluated other potential farewell opponents following Usyk’s stoppage win over kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in May.
If Usyk declines the offer, Fury insists he will secure an alternative high-profile heavyweight opponent to ensure he returns to action before the end of the year in pursuit of another championship reign.
Also Read – MLB Schedule Today: TV Channels, Live Stream, And Game Times For Labor Day Slate September 7 Matchups
