Anthony Joshua’s trainer has revealed he is not confident of the all-British heavyweight super fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury happening.
Ben Davison, who previously coached Fury, is concerned that both men have been out of the ring so long that the grudge match may never get made.
Asked about the prospect of Joshua and Fury finally fighting each other, Davison told Sky Sports: “I don’t have the answer, if I did I would be a very rich man.
“However, we’re talking about somebody [Fury] who has nearly been retired for a year and we’re talking about somebody [Joshua] who boxed over a year ago.
“At the moment, it’s not looking too promising.”
Joshua is mooted to make a return to the ring in early 2026. He will be hoping to bounce back after a shock knockout loss to former IBF champion Daniel Dubois last September.
Fury retired at the beginning of this year, following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 – but teased a return over the summer before changing his mind again, saying he was too old.
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The longer he waits, having just turned 37, the less likely it is that Fury will ever make a comeback.
Joshua and Fury have been circling one another for nearly a decade and have come close to fighting on more than one occasion, but never managed to get a deal over the line.
Joshua’s return in early 2026, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn, is a tune-up fight for one more roll of the dice in the summer. This could mean a fight with Fury or one last shot at becoming a three-time heavyweight champion.
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But with Fury holding firm on his retirement for now, it seems as though one of the biggest fights in British boxing history might never happen, which Davison believes could be a disappointing reality.
“I think it would be a shame if they both fight again, and it’s not against each other,” Davison said. “[But] If Tyson decides to stay retired, then he’s earned the right to do that.”
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