Overview
- On Monday Tyson Fury posted that Anthony Joshua had backed out of the planned fight and publicly called on Oleksandr Usyk as a replacement.
- Both Fury and Joshua have signed individual agreements with Saudi promoter Sela for a proposed November 20 bout, but organisers and promoters have not finalised the match.
- The core disagreement is over venue and commercial control, with Eddie Hearn saying Joshua’s deal requires a UK site while Sela and broadcast partners favour Madison Square Garden.
- Usyk’s manager Sergey Lapin rejected Fury’s public callout and said Usyk will not be a ‘backup plan’ without a concrete, formal offer, as Usyk explores a possible farewell fight.
- With legal steps threatened by Matchroom and alternative opponents being named by Fury’s camp, the fight’s date and location will depend on a rapid commercial and legal resolution.