Fury v Joshua: Frank Warren Sets Next-Week Deadline as Fight Hangs in the Balance

The biggest fight in British boxing history could be decided within days. Frank Warren, Tyson Fury's promoter, says negotiations for the long-awaited showdown between Fury and Anthony Joshua are subject to a time limit that expires by the end of next week — and the ball is now entirely in Joshua's court. The Guardian

Warren's comments, made on 26 August, cut through weeks of rumour and counter-rumour. Nothing has been signed off on a revised contract, he confirmed, despite Eddie Hearn and Dana White telling ESPN a week earlier that confirmation of the fight in New York was "imminent." ESPN

The hold-up, according to Warren, is money. With the bout now relocating from the UK to the United States — New York has emerged as the frontrunner venue — Joshua and his promoter Hearn are seeking more cash from US promoters Zuffa Boxing. Warren says that revised financial terms have not been agreed.

The fight, valued at £200 million, was originally signed in January. Sky Sports Joshua's car accident in Nigeria then delayed proceedings, and the calendar has been sliding ever since. Warren wants both men in full training by early September if a November date is to hold.

Fury, for his part, is already moving. Warren confirmed the former heavyweight champion is training in Miami and ready to fight an alternative opponent in November if the Joshua deal collapses. Fury's manager, Spencer Brown, admitted five days earlier that concerns were growing over whether the fight would happen at all as contract delays dragged on. Sky Sports

Warren also offered a blunt assessment of Joshua's most recent outing. In his last fight the previous month, against Kristian Prenga, Joshua was knocked down twice in the first round. He recovered to win, but the wobbles have only added to the sense that this fight needs to happen while it still can.

For fans who have followed this saga across multiple false dawns, the stakes are straightforward. Two British heavyweights, both former world champions, both nearing the end of their prime years, finally sharing a ring — or not. Warren, for his part, has not lost faith. He predicted on 26 August that the fight will go ahead in 2026 in America. Sky Sports

If it does, November is the target. The United States is the likely stage. And within the next ten days or so, we will know whether Anthony Joshua is ready to sign — or whether Tyson Fury moves on without him.