Anthony Joshua stole the spotlight after Tyson Fury’s unanimous decision win over Arslanbek Makhmudov when the heavyweight rivals exchanged words following a forgettable fight in London.
Fury outpointed Makhmudov over twelve rounds at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, taking the bout widely on the scorecards with tallies of 120-108 twice and 119-109. WBN also scored 119-109.
The fight itself proved scrappy rather than spectacular. Makhmudov enjoyed early success in the opening round, marking Fury’s face with several solid shots before the former champion settled into rhythm.
From the second round onward Fury gradually took control, catching Makhmudov on the way in and repeatedly beating the Russian to the punch. Makhmudov struggled to find his range and often resorted to throwing short bursts before tying Fury up.
By the middle rounds Fury was comfortably dictating the tempo, switching stance and landing clean counters as Makhmudov tired.
The challenger absorbed heavy punishment in the later stages as Fury rocked him with uppercuts and heavy combinations, but the durable Russian somehow survived to hear the final bell.
Fury calls out Joshua
However, the biggest talking point came moments after the fight when Fury called out Joshua in the ring and attempted to put the former two-time champion on the spot.
Joshua appeared caught off guard by the moment as Fury pressed for confirmation of a long-awaited showdown between the British heavyweights.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh also appeared eager to push the announcement immediately, seemingly attempting to declare the fight before Joshua had fully committed.
The reaction suggested Joshua had not expected the situation to unfold in that way, leaving the Olympic gold medalist briefly blindsided as the exchange played out in front of the crowd.
Joshua responded by raising his middle finger toward Fury and Turki Alalshikh as the confrontation unfolded.
Whether the two finally meet next now appears largely down to Joshua.
Joshua: “I’m the big dog”
The 2012 Olympic champion is still dealing with personal circumstances following the loss of two close friends in a car crash in December and has yet to confirm his next move.
“There are negotiations that you go through,” Joshua said when asked about facing Fury.
“I’ll fight him, I have no problem with that, especially after that. We will probably fight next, but I’m not a clout chaser.
“He disappears and comes back. I’m always in big fights. He works for me, I’m the landlord.”
Asked whether he might take a warm-up bout before facing Fury, Joshua replied, “After watching that, Fury could be a warm-up fight.
“I run the game. I’m the big dog.”
Fury himself summed up his performance before the first bell.
“I said to the boys, ‘If I’m even 10 per cent as bad as those guys in my fight, take me out to the field and shoot me. Put me out to pasture.’”
On that evidence, the 37-year-old is nowhere near the man who took Deontay Wilder out in devastating fashion at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The result improves Fury’s record after a controlled but unspectacular performance, while the post-fight confrontation with Joshua may ultimately prove far more significant than the action inside the ring.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
