Anthony Joshua has reignited his long-simmering rivalry with Tyson Fury, branding his British heavyweight counterpart “stupid” in a fiery social media outburst on September 9, 2025. The former two-time heavyweight champion, sidelined for over a year following a devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 and subsequent elbow surgery, vowed to return to the ring in early 2026, with his sights set on a blockbuster clash against Fury. Joshua’s provocative comments, posted on Instagram, have sent shockwaves through the boxing world, amplifying anticipation for a potential “Battle of Britain” that has eluded fans for years.
In his Instagram story, Joshua praised fellow heavyweight Joseph Parker for his willingness to fight anyone, contrasting him with Fury, whom he called Parker’s “dippy mate.” “To my supporters, I’ll be back to lace up my boots and put on my gloves sooner than later, hopefully punching Fury’s head in and dancing around his flicker jab with ease,” Joshua wrote, signaling his intent to dismantle the former WBC champion. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed to Sky Sports that Joshua is targeting a January or February 2026 comeback fight against a top-15 opponent, serving as a tune-up for a major showdown next summer, ideally against Fury. Hearn emphasized the urgency, noting that a loss in the comeback could derail Joshua’s career, given his age of 35 and recent setbacks.
Fury, who announced his retirement in January 2025 after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, has remained silent on Joshua’s taunts, focusing instead on a potential trilogy with Usyk. His promoter, Frank Warren, told MMA UK that Fury is unlikely to fight in 2025, casting doubt on the Joshua matchup. However, Netflix’s announcement of a new docuseries, FURY, has fueled speculation of a 2026 return, with betting odds at 4/6 for Fury to fight again, and Joshua as the 2/1 favorite opponent. Fans on X are divided, with one post stating, “AJ calling out a retired Fury is bold, but can he back it up after Dubois?” Others see the feud as a chance to revive British boxing’s prominence.
Joshua’s career has been a rollercoaster since losing his WBA, IBF, and WBO titles to Usyk in 2021. His knockout defeat to Dubois dropped him out of the IBF’s top 15, but his hunger remains evident. Talks of a fight in Ghana, as mentioned by Hearn on Matchroom’s podcast, add an international dimension to his comeback. Meanwhile, Fury’s estimated $160-$200 million net worth raises questions about his motivation to return. The boxing community is buzzing, with former champion Lennox Lewis declaring the fight a global must-see. As Joshua prepares to rebuild his legacy, his verbal jabs at Fury ensure that their potential clash remains the most tantalizing prospect in the heavyweight division.
