Tyson Fury has vowed to knock out Anthony Joshua within seven rounds when the British heavyweights clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11, but the long-awaited showdown has been thrown into fresh doubt over a promotional dispute.
Speaking on Sunday, Fury predicted a one-sided victory over Anthony Joshua and described the former two-time world champion as a “stepping stone” towards a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
The former heavyweight champion said he planned to use the Joshua fight as preparation for another meeting with Usyk, who defeated him twice on points in 2024.
“I’m just going to knock him out, one hundred percent,” Fury said on the Furocity YouTube channel.
“I’m going to box the head off him and stop him inside six or seven rounds.
“I’m only using Joshua as a stepping stone, a warm-up to Usyk.”
Fury questions Joshua’s speed
Fury also questioned Joshua’s speed and stamina, claiming the former champion would struggle to cope with his style.
“Joshua, for me, is an old bum. A weightlifter. Too many weights, not enough speed. Too many weights, no cardio. So I will cut through him like a hot knife through butter,” he said.
However, uncertainty has emerged over the proposed December 11 showdown after a promotional dispute cast doubt over plans for the fight’s first major media event.
Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports on Sunday that Wednesday’s planned press conference had not been confirmed. Asked whether Fury could proceed with the event without Joshua’s camp, Hearn said such a press conference would not take place.
“There wouldn’t be one without us,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
Promotional dispute clouds fight
The bout was announced earlier this week with Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh’s The Ring and Dana White listed as co-promoters, although Hearn has publicly disputed White’s involvement.
White also admitted he was uncertain about the status of the fight after Johnny Fisher’s victory over Michael Pirotton on Saturday.
Asked whether the bout would go ahead, White said he did not know. On the planned Wednesday press conference, he added: “I have no idea.”
The uncertainty comes despite Fury and Joshua being scheduled to meet in what would be one of the biggest all-British heavyweight fights in recent years.
Fury’s latest comments have intensified the build-up, but the promotional disagreement means questions remain over whether the planned December 11 event will proceed as announced.
