Tyson Fury addresses Anthony Joshua fight after Jake Paul KO

Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in a six-round bout in the early hours of Saturday, sparking renewed interest in the much-anticipated heavyweight clash between him and Tyson Fury.

Following the fight, Paul was self-admitted to hospital with a double broken jaw, while Joshua celebrated his win. Despite Fury's retirement earlier this year, rumours continue to circulate about a potential showdown between 'The Gypsy King' and Joshua.

Prior to Friday night's fight, Fury confidently claimed he could easily dethrone Joshua if they were to face each other in the ring. The 37-year-old said: "He's a 37-year-old at the end of his career fighting a YouTuber, a Disney Channel guy who Tommy (Fury) beat.

"Here's a fun fact. If I ever come across you, I'm knocking you spark out. I ain't a YouTuber or a man half your size. I am him. The man. You are a classless loser coming off a 15-month knockout defeat to a local lad.

"Imagine if someone from Morecambe knocked me out. You big bum useless dosser. I can't wait if Jake Paul knocks you spark out, you big dosser."

It is yet to be confirmed whether Fury will come out of retirement to take on Joshua, who openly challenged the Gypsy King in the ring on Friday evening in the US. He said: "We shook off the cobwebs and I can't wait to roll into 2026.

"And if Tyson Fury's as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come and fight one of the realest fighters out there that will take on any challenge, step into the ring with me next.

"If you're a real bad man, don't do all that talking, 'AJ this, AJ that,' let's see you in the ring and talk with your fists."

This callout marks another lengthy chapter in their ongoing rivalry outside of the ring. Back in 2020, Fury slammed Joshua's knockout win against Kubrat Pulev and claimed he'd defeat the Brit within three rounds.

The Gypsy King said: "He got asked if he wants the fight and he went around the bushes. I want the fight. I want the fight next. I will knock him out inside three rounds!"

Fury sneakily challenged Joshua once again in 2024 following his defeat to Daniel Dubois, insisting he'd enter the ring irrespective of his opponent's record of defeats. He said: "I've said after every [Anthony Joshua] loss I've felt deflated.

"When an adversary loses, and it's not to you, you do feel down and depressed about it. I felt sad for him. It was sad to see a worthy opponent lose his crown.

"I'd still fight him whether he's got five losses, 10 losses or 20. It's not important because, at this stage of our careers, it's about having good fights. I think it would still be an entertaining and interesting fight for the paying pundit."

Now, several prominent figures within the boxing community are convinced the duo will eventually clash in the ring. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh hinted at major plans for Joshua in 2026 - potentially including a showdown with Fury come September.

Speaking to DAZN, Alalshikh said: "I am talking now with Eddie, we have next year two big events here in London, it will be a surprise.

"We will have Joshua in our country in February, then there is the big fight, one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing, it will be in London here maybe in September. I will not give you the answer but we will have in April [a fight] in Tottenham, big fights, then in September we will have a big surprise for the fans in England."

Fury's promoter Frank Warren remains optimistic the fight will materialise but admits no formal agreement is in place yet. Warren told Sky Sports: "There has been some talks going on. There's nothing signed yet, but Tyson (Fury) has indicated that if it's the right deal, he would definitely do it.

"So, I think it is going in the right direction, and hopefully, we will get some news pretty soon as to what's going to happen.

"The Ring is a very informed outlet, and it's owned by His Excellency. This would not be coming out if they were not convinced and very sure that they can make this happen, so I do believe it will happen."

Warren highlighted Joshua's imminent return to the ring, as he added: "AJ's fighting, or whatever you want to call it, this week against Jake Paul and there's talk of him fighting again early in 2026.

"Tyson's been out for a while now. He may have a warm-up fight but if this fight happens - which I believe it will - it will be sometime in late summer. So that's another seven months away, so he'll certainly have a fight in between I think if he comes back.

"He has been in the gym full-time training very hard. He's in great nick, he looks well and he's said many times himself he would like to come back and fight again. And 2026 I believe, provided the deal's right, I think you'll see him back in the ring again."