Tyson Fury has detailed the events of a 2010 sparring session with Anthony Joshua, admitting the then-amateur boxer “gave me a beating” across three rounds at the Finchley Boxing Club in London. The reflection on their early encounter comes as both fighters move toward a professional clash, with contracts signed as of April 27, 2026, for a bout targeted for November 2026. While the heavyweights have individual assignments first — including Joshua’s July 25 date with Kristian Prenga — the history of their first meeting continues to follow the narrative of the rivalry.
During the session in 2010, Fury was a 22-year-old professional prospect with roughly a dozen fights, while Joshua was a 20-year-old ABA amateur champion. Recalling the rounds to BBC Radio London, Fury noted he initially intended to “take it easy” because his partner was an amateur. However, Joshua immediately pressured the professional, landing a combination that finished with a sharp uppercut to the chin. Fury remarked that if he had a weak chin, he would have been knocked out for a month.
The session reportedly lasted three or four rounds, during which Fury admitted he felt an amateur was “killing” him. Recalling the encounter years later, Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua officially confirmed and signed for a future professional date, but in 2010, Fury was simply impressed by the youngster’s pace. He eventually slowed the amateur with body shots, though he praised the Londoner as “red hot” and a name to watch for the future.
Sean Murphy recalls the amateur’s dominant performance
Sean Murphy, the trainer who oversaw Joshua at Finchley, provided further details to BBC Radio 5 Live regarding the dynamics of the 2010 session. Murphy recalled Joshua landing an uppercut and left hook that left Fury on “wobbly legs,” forcing the professional to hold the ropes for support. According to the trainer, he had to instruct Fury to stop holding the ropes, as it was not permitted during the sparring exercise.
The trainer noted that as Joshua grew “wild” in an attempt to secure a knockout in the later stages, he had to reset the young fighter’s focus. Murphy told Joshua to ignore Fury’s talking and stick to his boxing fundamentals. Following those instructions, Murphy claims Joshua “boxed his head off” in the final round. While sparring is often dismissed as training, Murphy’s account suggests Joshua clearly got the better of the exchange in the third round.
Joshua himself remembers the day vividly, though he admitted he did not know who Fury was at the time. The motivation for his aggression was a gym rumor that Fury had offered his Rolex watch to anyone who could knock him out. Joshua admitted he was “looking at the cash” and the luxury timepiece, though he noted that while they both landed powerful shots, he did not manage to secure the knockout he was hunting for.
Path to the professional heavyweight showdown in 2026
The 2010 spar now serves as a historical backdrop for a massive professional encounter expected to stream on Netflix. Before they meet, both men have scheduled activity to stay sharp. Joshua is preparing for his Riyadh fixture in July, while Tyson Fury confirms August date for Anthony Joshua warm-up fight as he looks to maintain momentum before the November window. These bouts are viewed as essential steps toward the final unification of their long-standing domestic rivalry.
Negotiations for this professional meeting were historically difficult, but the breakthrough in signing provides a definitive roadmap for fans. This follows a period where the fury-joshua fight stalls as contract dispute issues prevented the deal from being finalized. Now, with venues like Saudi Arabia and Wembley Stadium under consideration, the two will finally compete under professional rules without headguards or amateur-sized gloves.
Fury has often maintained that “sparring isn’t fighting,” yet the specific details of Joshua’s uppercut remain a consistent part of his commentary on his rival. As they prepare for their respective summer engagements, the memory of that afternoon in Finchley remains the only physical evidence of how their styles mesh in the ring. The boxing world now waits to see if the outcome as professionals mirrors that 2010 afternoon in North London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was considered the winner of the Fury versus Joshua sparring session?
There are no official winners in sparring, but Tyson Fury admitted that Anthony Joshua “gave me a beating” and “got the better of him” during the three rounds. Joshua’s former trainer, Sean Murphy, also claimed that Joshua “boxed his head off” during the final round of the 2010 encounter.
How old were both fighters when they sparred in 2010?
At the time of the session at Finchley Boxing Club, Tyson Fury was 21 or 22 years old and was already a professional prospect. Anthony Joshua was 20 years old and was the reigning ABA amateur champion, two years prior to his gold medal win at the 2012 Olympics.
When is the professional fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua scheduled?
As of April 27, 2026, contracts have been signed for the professional bout, which is targeted for late 2026, likely in November. Before the main event, Joshua will fight Kristian Prenga in July, and Fury plans a warm-up fight in August to prepare for the showdown.
