Fury vs Joshua has been many years in the making
An all-British battle between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has been many years in the making and desired above all else by boxing fans from the UK. These two heavyweights hold all of the sport's major world heavyweight championships. A dream dust-up between the pair is almost a reality, with just the formality of signing a contract needed after Fury's promoter Bob Arum said the much-anticipated fight had been agreed with all parties.
How have we got here? It's worth looking back and plotting the journey as both Fury and Joshua climbed to the top of boxing's money division. Watford-born "AJ" was a celebrated amateur. Gold in the Great Britain and ABA Championships set him up for glory at the London Olympics of 2012 in the super heavyweight category. A year on from that triumph, Joshua joined the paid ranks and made his pro debut in October 2013. He wasted no time in notching a winning sequence that stretched to 15-0 by the end of 2015.
At that stage, AJ held the British, Commonwealth, and WBC International heavyweight belts following a seventh-round stoppage of compatriot Dillian Whyte at The O2 Arena. The IBF title followed in his next fight, but his crowning glory came when adding the WBO and IBO straps to his collection. This victory was something of a form marker between Joshua and Fury. The latter stopped him in the eleventh round, while "The Gypsy King" went the decision and earned a victory via the judges' scorecards.
On that basis, it is puzzling that Joshua is the 11/8 outsider according to the latest boxing betting on his dream bout with Fury. However, he doesn't bring an unblemished record to the table. In his 23rd professional fight, AJ suffered a massive shock loss which was swiftly avenged at the end of 2019, reclaiming the WBO, IBO, and IBF belts.
Fury, meanwhile, didn't reach the heights that Joshua managed as an amateur, so moved into the paid ranks a lot sooner. Debuting as a pro in December 2008, there is a curious symmetry to Fury winning the British and Commonwealth belts in his 15th fight after going the distance with Derek Chisora.
Unfortunately, Fury found himself battling issues outside of the ring. Drink, depression, and drugs threatened more than just his career, but he returned to boxing in 2018 and built himself back up for a shot at the WBC heavyweight title.
His first attempt at this title is now the stuff of legend. Fury got up off the canvas and earned a remarkable, controversial draw. When he met his competition again, he completely changed his in-ring style and captured the one world championship that had eluded him.
It's an incredible story. What the final chapter holds when two of the best heavyweight boxers Britain has ever produced clash in the future will be fascinating to watch.