Anthony Joshua has challenged Tyson Fury to face rising heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma for his planned August return to the ring. Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing on June 5, 2026, the former two-time world champion suggested that Fury should follow the same advice he previously offered to others. Joshua’s comments come as both fighters eye interim bouts ahead of a long-awaited domestic showdown later this year.
The recommendation from Anthony Joshua serves as a direct response to Tyson Fury, who had recently urged Joshua to fight the unbeaten 21-year-old. While Joshua is finalising his own plans for a summer return, Fury is currently scouting for an opponent for a scheduled August comeback.
Joshua believes if the “Gypsy King” and his promoter Frank Warren truly value Itauma’s talent, they should test it themselves.
“He was saying to me when I was looking for an opponent… fight Itauma,” Anthony Joshua told talkSPORT. “So I think that would be a perfect name. They’re all under the same promotion.
” The veteran heavyweight argued that since both Tyson Fury and Moses Itauma are represented by Queensberry Promotions, the logistics for such a bout would be straightforward if Fury was serious about the challenge.
Anthony Joshua questions Tyson Fury’s promotional decisions
Anthony Joshua didn’t hold back in questioning why Frank Warren hasn’t already matched his young standout against the division’s established names. He suggested that instead of focusing on his career trajectory, the rival camp should look at their own roster. This verbal jab shifts the spotlight onto Fury’s search for a credible opponent to face in August.
“If Fury is what he says he is, maybe he should step forward,” Joshua added during the interview. “And Frank should put his fighter forward instead of worrying about what I’m up to.” The pressure is now on the Fury camp to deliver a high-stakes opponent, particularly as contract talks for a Fury-Joshua bout have historically been complicated by such public disagreements.
The tension between the two camps is nothing new, but the inclusion of a prospect like Itauma adds a fresh layer to the psychological warfare. Joshua’s insistence that Fury lead by example highlights the ongoing debate over “tune-up” fights. Many fans remember how Fury and Joshua sparred in 2010, a moment that remains a cornerstone of their decade-long rivalry.
Moses Itauma emerges as a heavyweight wildcard
Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) has rapidly become one of the most talked-about names in the heavyweight division. Despite his youth, the 21-year-old has already secured high-profile results, including a first-round stoppage of Dillian Whyte. He followed that performance with a fifth-round technical knockout of Jermaine Franklin, cementing his status as a legitimate threat to the top tier.
Frank Warren has indicated that the heavy-hitting prospect is expected to return to the ring on August 8. While Filip Hrgovic is reportedly under consideration as a potential opponent, Joshua’s public dare has fans wondering if a more explosive domestic clash is possible.
Itauma’s rapid ascent is part of a broader shift in the division that has seen more prospects take on veteran gatekeepers earlier in their careers.
Matching a 13-0 prospect against a lineal champion like Tyson Fury would be a significant departure from traditional boxing matchmaking. However, as Fury and Joshua are penciled in for late 2026, every move made this summer is viewed through the lens of that ultimate confrontation. If Fury opts for a safer opponent, it provides Joshua with valuable ammunition for their eventual promotional buildup.
What Anthony Joshua’s challenge means for the division
The reaction from Tyson Fury’s’ camp remains the missing piece of the puzzle. Historically, Fury has used his mid-year dates to shake off ring rust, often preferring opponents who offer specific tactical challenges. If Frank Warren decides to pivot toward Itauma, it would represent one of the boldest moves in recent British boxing history, likely overshadowing other summer events.
For Moses Itauma, being named as a potential opponent for the “Gypsy King” by a fighter of Joshua’s stature only increases his profile. Whether the fight happens or not, his August 8 appearance is now under a more intense microscope.
The 21-year-old finds himself in a unique position, acting as a focal point in a masterclass of psychological maneuvering between two of the world’s most famous heavyweights.
The outcome of these summer interim bouts will dictate the stakes for the remainder of the year. If both veterans emerge victorious, the path to a late-2026 meeting remains clear. For now, the heavyweight landscape is defined by these verbal exchanges, as the world waits to see who Tyson Fury will actually face when he returns to the ring in August.
