Tyson Fury taunts Anthony Joshua after comeback win, sets up blockbuster fight

Tyson Fury reignited his long-standing rivalry with Anthony Joshua after his comeback victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 15, 2026. The Gypsy King repeatedly challenged Joshua to face him next, but the former two-time world heavyweight champion refused to enter the ring despite being ringside.

What happened at Fury's comeback fight?

Fury dominated Makhmudov in a unanimous decision victory, then turned his attention to Joshua. "I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me next. Do you accept?" Fury screamed into the microphone. Joshua, sitting near the ring apron, fired back: "I punched you up when we were kids and I'll punch you up again. You aren't going to tell me what to do."

Why did Joshua refuse to face Fury?

Anthony Joshua later explained his decision to DAZN, stating he was on a "scouting mission" and wouldn't play into Fury's games. "I’ve been in that position before where I’ve signed contracts with Fury," Joshua said. "If the contract was signed, I would have got in the ring. I saw some good. I saw some vulnerabilities in there."

What comes next for Fury and Joshua?

Both fighters have bouts scheduled this month. Fury will face Mariusz Wach on July 24 in Pattaya, Thailand, aiming to extend his record to 36 wins from 39 fights. Joshua takes on Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25 in his first fight since a fatal car accident in Nigeria last December.

The pair are expected to meet later this year at Wembley Stadium, though no official date has been confirmed. Fury vowed Joshua would be "knocked out," while Joshua declared himself the "landlord" and promised to welcome Fury into his territory after his upcoming fight.