Anthony Joshua has revealed that he is in contact with Tyson Fury’s uncle, Peter Fury, in a surprising and tactical twist to the build-up ahead of the two former world heavyweight champions finally meeting in the ring at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in December.
The long-awaited bout, which has captured the imagination of the global boxing community, is set to take place at the iconic Welsh venue. However, the pre-fight narrative took an unexpected turn when Joshua acknowledged his dialogue with the man who once guided Tyson Fury to the pinnacle of the sport.
Peter Fury famously trained Tyson when he pulled off a monumental upset against Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, capturing his first set of world heavyweight titles in Germany. Following that career-defining victory, the uncle and nephew experienced a bitter falling-out, reportedly stemming from a financial dispute, and the two have not spoken in many years.
Despite the family estrangement, Joshua confirmed that a line of communication has opened up between himself and Peter Fury ahead of their December showdown.
“I speak to Peter Fury,” Joshua said prior to the fight’s first official press conference on Wednesday evening in London. “He’s willing to help me as well. Yeah, I’ll speak to him before I fight Tyson Fury.”
When pressed on whether he is speaking to Peter primarily to gain psychological insights or tactical secrets about his upcoming opponent, Joshua clarified his approach.
“Not about Fury, but about our training and how I can approach the fight. This is where I can improve. Everybody’s going to tell me how to win. But the most important person to listen to is myself at this point in my career.”
Joshua revealed that his most recent conversation with Peter Fury took place roughly a month ago. The connection was forged through mutual ties within the heavyweight division, notably involving British heavyweight contender Matty Harris, whom Peter Fury currently trains.
“I speak to Matty Harris quite a lot,” Joshua explained. “Matty Harris comes down for some sparring. That’s how it all comes about. Through Matty and Peter.”
The tactical setup in Joshua’s corner introduces further layers of intrigue, given the web of shared histories and former alliances. Ben Davison will train Joshua for the December clash, and Davison also shares a significant history with Tyson Fury. Davison famously helped orchestrate Fury’s remarkable comeback to boxing in 2018, guiding him back to fitness and the top tier of the sport after a three-year hiatus marked by well-documented personal struggles and battles with alcohol and drugs following his victory over Klitschko.
At Wednesday’s London press conference, Tyson Fury initially appeared genuinely taken aback when informed that Davison would be occupying the corner for his adversary. In a moment of apparent surprise, Fury asked reporters: “Is it confirmed? Is he gonna have him?”
Pausing for effect, Fury turned to Frank Warren, his long-time promoter, and delivered a deadpan assessment of the situation: “That’s deflating, isn’t it, Frank? It is deflating.”
However, the heavyweight champion quickly revealed his trademark humor, making it clear that his previous remarks were entirely tongue-in-cheek.
“Don’t forget I left Ben Davison to go with SugarHill Steward because he wasn’t good enough, and this is the same Ben Davison who Anthony Joshua left because he wasn’t good enough,” Fury joked.
The backdrop to Joshua’s coaching team involves recent career turbulence. Following Joshua’s devastating defeat in September 2024, where he was dropped multiple times before being decisively stopped by Daniel Dubois in a blistering display at Wembley, Joshua briefly shifted away from Davison to collaborate with elements of Oleksandr Usyk’s team.
Referencing that turbulent period, a cheerful and relaxed Tyson Fury weighed in on his rival’s coaching decisions.
“When he got knocked out by Dubois, it was the same Ben Davison who everyone said: ‘Oh, he’s this, he’s that…’ Now they’re going back to him?” Fury said.
“So that gives me encouragement. That gives me happiness. He will probably go out there, get told to throw a jab and throw an uppercut and get himself chinned.”
Joshua, maintaining a measured perspective, pushed back against laying the blame for past defeats squarely at his coach’s feet, emphasizing that his decision to reunite with Davison was rooted in strategic refinement rather than sentimentality.
“It wasn’t so much going to Ben and Peter because they have worked with Fury before,” Joshua noted. “The reason why I went with Ben is because he and his team pinpoint things. Against Dubois, there are things I could have done better, so I won’t put all that blame on Ben.”
Joshua articulated a clear vision for how he plans to merge different coaching philosophies to secure victory in December.
“What I’ve got to do is take control of my fight with Fury, but also add their touch,” Joshua said. “And with these two powerhouses coming together, I think it will be a match made in heaven. Ben and his team are very good at pinpointing certain things leading up to a fight that I can execute and exploit. I believe that they will get me that one step closer to landing the perfect punch to pin Fury to the ground.”
The pre-fight event also offered moments of poignant reflection and unexpected camaraderie between the two fierce rivals. Taking to the stage, Joshua respectfully called for a minute of silence to remember the close friends he had tragically lost over the preceding 10 months following an accident in Nigeria. The gathering impeccably observed the tribute.
Following the solemn moment, the atmosphere shifted as the fighters engaged in a surprisingly respectful exchange while sharing the stage. Despite the cordial tone, Fury made sure to emphasize his intentions inside the ring.
“I’m going to blast him out,” Fury insisted. “I’m going to catch him and when I do, it’s going to be curtains.”
A smiling Joshua took the prediction in stride. “I don’t expect anything else from this man than him saying he’s going to render me unconscious.”
The levity continued when Fury quipped, “This man is built like an Adonis, I’m built like a blancmange,” drawing laughter from the room. Looking directly at Joshua, Fury added, “I hope after this fight we can have a pint of Guinness together.”
Joshua paused momentarily before offering a characteristically cautious response: “I don’t know if I can trust you.”
Despite the verbal sparring, wisecracks, and complex web of former trainers, the traditional face-off between the two heavyweights concluded peacefully and calmly. Both men are acutely aware that all the intrigue, psychological maneuvering, and external commentary will become entirely irrelevant once the opening bell sounds in Cardiff, leaving them alone to settle their differences in the center of the ring.
