Tyson Fury: Anthony Joshua vs Moses Itauma 'Not a Fight That Will Ever Happen'

Fury Says the Timing Is All Wrong

Tyson Fury isn't buying the hype around a potential Anthony Joshua vs Moses Itauma showdown, and he's got a blunt reason why: the numbers don't line up. Speaking ahead of his own tune-up bout against Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, Fury compared the hypothetical matchup to the 1996 clash between Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya — a fight where one legend was fading fast while the other was rising just as quickly.

"One man's past his best and one man's on the rise," Fury said. "If one man's on the edge [of retirement] and one man's on the rise, then it's not really a fight... So [Joshua-Itauma is] not a fight that will ever happen."

Where Joshua Stands Right Now

Before any Itauma talk becomes real, Joshua has business to handle. The 36-year-old steps into the ring Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prenga — his first fight since his last outing, which was followed by a devastating car crash that same month. Joshua lost two close friends in that incident and has spent time since rebuilding both physically and mentally. This Prenga fight is very much a measuring stick to see where AJ's head and body are at.

Reports suggest Joshua has already agreed to face Fury later this year, but he's also left the door open to a fight with Itauma, boxing's most talked-about rising heavyweight.

Itauma's Path Isn't Guaranteed Either

Fury's skepticism isn't just about Joshua's age or ring rust — Itauma still has his own test to pass. The 21-year-old faces seasoned contender Filip Hrgovic at London's O2 Arena on August 29, and a win there likely puts him in line for a world title shot. Until that happens, any Joshua-Itauma conversation is premature at best.

Fury's Own Comeback Continues

Fury himself isn't sitting on the sidelines lecturing from a distance. He's fought as recently as April and is now gearing up for his second consecutive tune-up fight against Mariusz Wach later today. It's clear Fury is using these lower-stakes bouts to shake off rust before any bigger reunion with Joshua materializes.

The Bottom Line

Fury's take boils down to simple boxing logic: big fights need two guys near their peak, not one on the way out and one on the way in. Whether Joshua proves him wrong against Prenga — and whether Itauma handles Hrgovic — will determine if this hypothetical clash ever gets real traction. For now, it's speculation dressed up as inevitability.