Tyson Fury, the former world heavyweight champion, has openly embraced the prospect of fighting undefeated cruiserweight champion David Benavidez. This comes amidst significant uncertainty surrounding his highly anticipated December 11, 2026, bout against Anthony Joshua at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Fury’s willingness to consider Benavidez as a replacement stems from ongoing promotional disputes. These issues, primarily concerning the involvement of UFC President Dana White, have cast a shadow over what was meant to be one of boxing’s biggest events.
anthony joshua on fury’s bold assessment
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Furocity, Tyson Fury didn’t mince words about the potential challenge David Benavidez presents. He described Benavidez as a considerably tougher opponent than Anthony Joshua, despite Benavidez having never competed at heavyweight.
“What a fight that would be,” Fury stated. “The only thing is that, with David Benavidez, he’s about a four to five times harder fight than Joshua.” This perspective underscores Fury’s belief in Benavidez’s fighting prowess.
Fury emphasized his readiness to face any challenger. “I’ll take it because that’s what I do – there’s not a man on this earth that I won’t fight, anybody, not a single person.” He also confidently predicted, “Never, ever, ever think that Joshua’s a tougher fight than David Benavidez. Benavidez stops Joshua in about three rounds.”
The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ characterized Benavidez as “fresh, he’s young, he’s ambitious.” However, Fury quickly added his own caveat, noting that Benavidez “ain’t fought the GK” – a reference to himself, signaling his belief he would still prevail.
The Joshua Fight: Promotional Hurdles Emerge
The mega-fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua was officially announced on September 24, 2026, thrilling boxing fans worldwide. Scheduled for December 11, 2026, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, the event was set to be broadcast live on Netflix in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
However, just days later, reports from The Ring’s Mike Coppinger indicated that the high-stakes heavyweight showdown was in jeopardy. The core of the problem revolves around a disagreement over the promotional involvement of UFC President Dana White.
Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, reportedly asserts that White cannot participate in the promotion. Hearn claims a specific clause within Joshua’s contract prohibits promotional involvement from the Zuffa Boxing boss.
Conversely, Dana White maintains that he has been an integral part of promoting the event since June 2026. Tyson Fury, for his part, has publicly claimed he personally removed a clause from his own contract to facilitate White’s involvement.
Dispute Over Dana White’s Involvement
This promotional conflict has escalated into a public war of words. Fury has lambasted Joshua and Hearn, calling them “little s***house cowards” and a “white-flagged, yellow belly coward.” He accused Hearn of allowing his “ego” to jeopardize the biggest fight in boxing history.
Fury believes Hearn’s personal grievances are threatening to derail a decade-long wait for fans. He directly addressed Hearn, stating, “So Eddie Hearn’s ego is trying to cost us and all the boxing fans around the world the fight that everyone’s waited for.” Fury predicts he would knock out Joshua within six or seven rounds.
Benavidez: A Formidable Cruiserweight, Eyeing Heavyweight Glory
David Benavidez, known as ‘The Mexican Monster’, cemented his status as a unified cruiserweight king in May. He impressively dethroned Gilberto Ramirez with a vicious sixth-round finish to capture both the WBO and WBA titles, showcasing his power and skill.
While Benavidez has dominated the cruiserweight division, a move to heavyweight presents a significant leap in weight and competition. He is currently scheduled for a unification match with WBC champion Michal Cieslak on December 12, 2026, in Phoenix.
For Benavidez to step in against Fury a day earlier, he would need to abandon his planned cruiserweight fight. Such a move would entail a substantial weight class jump from 200 pounds to face a much larger heavyweight, highlighting his ambition and the potential disruption to his career trajectory. The dynamics of his weight class decision are complex.
A Recurring Saga: Fury-Joshua Negotiations
The proposed fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been years in the making, plagued by repeated collapses in negotiations. Previous attempts to finalize the highly anticipated clash fell through in 2020, 2021, and 2022, leaving fans frustrated and skeptical.
This latest dispute marks another chapter in a history of near misses for the British heavyweights. Fury recently returned to the ring after two defeats against Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, including a rematch on December 21, 2024, in Riyadh, where Usyk won by unanimous decision. Fury had announced his second retirement on January 13, 2025, before this latest return.
The perpetual uncertainty surrounding the Cardiff clash underscores the complex web of contractual obligations, promotional rivalries, and fighter demands that often impede major boxing matchups. Fans are left to wonder if the dream fight will ever truly materialize.
Outlook for Boxing’s Premier Division
If the Anthony Joshua fight ultimately collapses, it would represent a significant blow to the heavyweight division and to Netflix’s burgeoning presence in boxing. The streaming giant had invested heavily in promoting the December 11 event as a flagship boxing spectacle.
A Tyson Fury versus David Benavidez matchup, while unexpected, would offer an intriguing dynamic. Benavidez’s speed and movement could present unique problems for Fury, contrasting with the more conventional power-punching challenge Joshua would bring.
For Anthony Joshua, failure to secure this fight could further complicate his standing among the sport’s elite, especially given Fury’s sharp public criticism. His team would face renewed pressure to secure a high-profile opponent to maintain relevance and appease a demanding fanbase.
Ultimately, the saga highlights the volatile nature of high-stakes boxing negotiations. The coming days will reveal whether the promotional issues can be resolved, or if the heavyweight landscape is set for a dramatic, unexpected shift with Benavidez stepping into the spotlight.
