Doubts over Tyson Fury's Joshua showdown after he begins search for 'new opponent'

Tyson Fury (left) and brother Tommy (Media Isle of Man)

Two-time former heavyweight world champion and island resident Tyson Fury has cast doubt over his scheduled blockbuster fight with Anthony Joshua in November.

Fury posted a video update on social media on Sunday saying that he is looking for a new opponent for the fight.

In it he called on two-time world champion Oleksandr Usyk to take Joshua’s place in the bout.

Fury alleged that his fellow Brit had now withdrawn and he urged the Ukrainian, who had been helping Joshua prepare for the fight, to take to the ring instead.

The pair have fought twice before, with Usyk winning both fights.

Get your latest local news for free in your email inbox

In an Instagram story posted from the United States, Fury said: ‘Oleksandr you're his [Joshua's] trainer and his sensei and you know he is weak minded... and that he would never fight the Gypsy King which you have had the guts to do twice.

‘You got the decisions last time, fair play to you.

‘Good luck to you, let's do it again. Let's run it back in November. The ball is now in your court... do you want to fight me this year, 2026, or are you calling it quits?

‘Let me know because I am now looking for a new opponent.’

Both Joshua and Fury had signed individual contracts for their contest with Saudi Arabian promoter Sela, but the issue of where the fight takes place has caused a delay in an official announcement, with organisers pushing to stage it in the US rather than Joshua's preferred location of Wembley Stadium.

Joshua's contract stipulates it must take place in the UK, leading to his promoter Eddie Hearn renegotiating details in that deal.

After London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan made a public plea for the fight to happen at Wembley, Hearn said talks about staging it in the UK had ‘re-opened’.

Sela and broadcaster Netflix are understood to favour New York's Madison Square Garden.