Tyson Fury has announced that the proposed big heavyweight boxing fight with Anthony Joshua will no longer be held because his self-imposed deadline for the contract to be signed has passed.
World Boxing Council champion Fury had offered a December 3 fight to Joshua and the former World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation champion had accepted.
Joshua, who has dual Nigerian and British nationalities, said yesterday he would sign the contract after Fury issued an ultimatum.
Joshua however insisted that his legal team had to vet the contract before it would be signed, which would mean the deadline was impossible.
Fury then took to Instagram to state that Joshua had missed the 5pm deadline and the fight was off.
“It’s official. D-Day has come and gone,” the unbeaten 34-year-old said. “It’s gone past 5pm Monday, no contract has been signed.
“It’s officially over for Joshua. He’s now out in the cold with the wolfpack. Forget about it. Idiot. Coward!
“I always knew you didn’t have the minerals to fight the Gypsy King. Good luck with your career, and your life.”
Joshua, 32, had assured Fury on Sunday that he would sign the contract, saying: “It’s not in my hands, it’s with the legal team. That’s why you hire lawyers. You know the history of boxing, make sure you get your legal terms right.
“Of course, I’m going to sign a contract. It’s just with some lawyers at the minute.”
This is the second time a proposed fight between Britain’s two highest-profile boxers would be called off after a potential £200 million bout last year ended up not happening.
