Tyson Fury Says Anthony Joshua Fight Has Only 1% Chance of Happening

The Fight Was Announced But Is Now in Doubt

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua were officially confirmed to fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11. The announcement came on Thursday and ended years of speculation about a potential Battle of Britain. However, the fight has been thrown into fresh doubt after a reported dispute over the involvement of UFC boss Dana White. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn insists that White cannot be involved under the terms of Joshua’s contract.

Fury Says There Is Only a 1% Chance

Tyson Fury has now given his most pessimistic assessment yet of the fight happening. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Furocity, Fury was asked what percentage chance he believes there is of facing Joshua. He said, “One per cent.” Fury also said that if you have a guy who wants to fight and a guy who does not want to fight, then it is hard to make the fight happen. 

He pointed out that he has had nearly 40 professional fights and has been on top of the game for over a decade. He has managed to fight all the champions and for all the titles in boxing. But every time it comes to fighting Joshua, it never happens. Fury asked if anyone has ever asked themselves why.

Fury Still Wants the Fight to Happen

Despite his pessimistic prediction, Fury then struck a more positive note. He insisted that he remains determined to make the fight happen. He said he would even tie concrete blocks to his boots to make it happen. He added that there is nothing he would not do to make the fight happen. Fury also said that he does think it will happen. He explained that from what he is hearing, they have been paid already. He said there is nothing that he has not agreed to.

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Replacement Opponents Are Being Considered

Fury also revealed that he has been told replacement opponents are already being considered if the Joshua fight collapses. He specifically welcomed the prospect of facing David Benavidez. Benavidez has emerged as one of the names being discussed as a possible alternative. Fury said he heard the night before that they were trying for replacements. He called Benavidez a big name and said it would be an unbelievable fight. 

Fury claimed that Benavidez would represent a considerably tougher challenge than Joshua. He said that with Benavidez, it is about four to five times a harder fight than with Joshua. But Fury said he would take it because that is what he does. He said there is not a man on earth that he will not fight. Fury also made a prediction about what Benavidez could do against Joshua. He said Benavidez stops Joshua in about three rounds. He added that Benavidez is fresh, young, and ambitious, but he has not fought the Gypsy King.

The Dispute Over Dana White

The row centres on Dana White. White was officially named alongside Saudi Arabian powerbroker Turki Alalshikh as a promoter of the Cardiff event. Hearn has publicly disputed White’s involvement. White has insisted he remains part of the fight. Speaking after Johnny Fisher’s victory at the Copper Box on Saturday, White said he is involved in the fight. He said that if Eddie Hearn had really cared about this fight, it would have happened a long time ago.

White also said that the guy who is supposed to be helping the fight has been hurting the fight the entire time. He said everyone will know more in the next three or four days. Fury also claimed he originally agreed to fight Joshua at Croke Park in Dublin before the venue changed. He said he signed the contract to do the fight in Ireland because that is where he wanted to do it. He added that if he had stuck to his contract, the fight would not have happened.

What Happens Next

The latest developments leave the proposed Cardiff blockbuster facing an uncertain few days. Fury and Joshua are due to attend a pre-fight press conference in London on Wednesday. However, reports have suggested that the press conference could now be scrapped amid the dispute. Fans will be watching closely to see if the fight goes ahead or if replacement opponents are needed. For now, Fury says there is only a 1% chance of the fight happening, but he also says he believes it will happen. The next few days will be crucial in determining the fate of one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.