Fury vs. Joshua No Longer Feels Like a Super Fight to Fans

Fury and Joshua are expected to headline the event under Turki Alalshikh’s banner, with both men taking tune-up fights first. Joshua faces Jake Paul on December 19. Fury’s opponent hasn’t been named, but fans already know the profile. Slow. Limited. Safe. No risk allowed.

That alone tells the story.

What fans are saying

• It feels staged.
• The timing is embarrassing.
• It’s a final payday, not a real fight.
• Worst possible “mega-fight” angle.
• More spectacle than sport.

The criticism isn’t coming from nowhere. Fury hasn’t won a meaningful fight in years and just dropped back-to-back decisions to Oleksandr Usyk. Against elite movement and timing, he looked slow, reactive, and limited.

His entire game has narrowed to leaning, grabbing, and trying to smother exchanges. That approach worked when his size advantage overwhelmed opponents. It didn’t work against Usyk, and fans don’t believe it suddenly becomes effective again at this stage.

Joshua isn’t escaping scrutiny either. To many, this fight feels like two former stars circling each other long after the moment passed. The branding says “Battle of Britain.” The reality says exhibition with premium pricing.

That’s the disconnect fans are reacting to — not hate, but disbelief.

This isn’t being rejected because it’s controversial.
It’s being rejected because it feels empty.