“Of course, if it’s a fight to be made, let’s get it done. Let me get Makhmudov out of the way, and we’re on,” Fury said to Sky Sports when asked about Joshua.
Fury went further, repeating a claim he has made for years about the commercial appeal of the matchup.
“The biggest fight for me in world boxing and the biggest fight in the world of boxing is me versus AJ,” he said. “Even today, even after all these years, it’s still the biggest fight in boxing, it’s still the biggest fight.”
The timing of those comments stands out. Joshua has been back in the gym following a difficult period that included a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024 and a later personal tragedy that interrupted his activity. Eddie Hearn said last week that while Joshua is training again, there have been no discussions about an opponent or a date.
“Good to see the guy back in training camp,” Fury said. “He’s obviously had a bit of a tough time lately and all that. So I’ll just give him space, and whatever he wants to do, he can do.”
There is also a growing view among fans that Fury’s return at 37 is tied as much to the money attached to a Joshua fight as anything else. The matchup, once seen as a meeting of two top heavyweights, is now often described as a nostalgia event built on name value. Fury has not consistently looked at his best since his trilogy with Deontay Wilder, while Joshua’s standing shifted after his 2019 knockout loss to Andy Ruiz Jr., a late replacement at the time.
Fury’s focus, at least publicly, moves quickly past the immediate task in front of him. Makhmudov is a dangerous heavyweight assignment, yet Fury spoke of clearing that fight as a step toward a larger payday.
The difference between talk and action has defined this matchup before. A planned undisputed fight in 2021 fell apart when Deontay Wilder exercised his contractual right to face Fury in a third bout, and the division has moved in different directions since.
Fury continues to speak as if the fight is still waiting. Joshua’s side has yet to indicate that it is even on the table.
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