Tyson Fury has ignited fresh controversy in boxing after delivering a savage assessment of Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora, branding their recent clash “heartbreaking” and likening the pair to white-collar fighters.
Tyson Fury’s remarks arrive days before his comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, raising tensions across the heavyweight division.
Wilder ended Chisora’s career with a points win at the O2 Arena, then called for a blockbuster fight with Anthony Joshua. Fury dismissed the bout outright and questioned the level of both men.
Speaking on the InsideRingShow, he said: “By the time the fight comes around on Saturday, I’d have been out of the ring 16 months. At 37 years old, 16 months is a long time, so I have a little bit to do and think about in my own mind to see how I’m doing.
“After watching Deontay and Chisora fight, it was hard to watch for me. It was sad, heartbreaking, and I’ve never seen two men slide as much as they did in my life. And I’m thinking, am I f****** next? Is this me? So I said to the boys, I said, ‘If I’m even 10 per cent as bad as those guys in my fight, take me out to the field and shoot me.’”
The comments have sharpened the spotlight on Fury’s own return. He has not fought since losing to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, yet he is already targeting Joshua.
He told BBC Radio: “I’ve got Arslanbek Makhmudov to think of on Saturday night, but all going well [Joshua is] the fight I want next. I know he just had his fight with Jake Paul, whatever … a fight’s a fight, really. So yeah, I’ll be ready for that straight away after this.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn insists the former champion needs time after a recent car accident, but Fury’s attack has piled pressure on the division’s biggest names. With Wilder chasing Joshua and Fury ridiculing both, the heavyweight scene now faces a bitter and very public war of words before a single punch is thrown.
