Footage: Anthony Joshua refuses bout with Tyson Fury, accuses him of seeking fame

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Anthony Joshua has refused to agree to a fight with rival Tyson Fury following Saturday night’s bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Fury had cruised to a comfortable victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in a one-sided contest that failed to ignite the crowd.

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With Joshua watching from ringside, Fury seized the moment to call out his long-time rival and urged him to step into the ring.

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He said: “Next I want to give you the fight you’ve all been waiting for; I want you AJ, Anthony Joshua

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“Let’s give the fight fans what they want, a battle of Britain. I challenge you AJ to fight me, The Gypsy King, next. Say yes or no now.”

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Joshua, however, declined the invitation and chose not to enter the ring, drawing jeers from sections of the crowd. He later fired back at Fury, saying: “Tyson… you’re a clout chaser. Tyson I’ve never had no problem getting in the ring with you, I punched you out when we were kids, and after seeing you in the ring tonight I’d punch you up again.”

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“With all due respect tonight is your night and you I’ll sit across the ring from you in due time. You ain’t gonna tell me what to do. I’ve been chasing you for the last 10 years. When you’re ready you come and see me and tell me your terms and conditions. I’m the boss, you work for me. I’m the landlord remember that, you work for me.”

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Joshua insisted he remains open to the fight but stressed that proper negotiations must take place before any agreement is reached.

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“There are negotiations that you go through. I have been at this table with him many times. In my heart, I’d fight Fury tomorrow, especially after watching that. There is not a problem fighting him.

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“I am not here to get clout. I am here to fight. The contract will be sent over, we will go through the nitty gritty, and you will probably see us in the ring next, more than likely – but I am not here to get in the ring, shouting in someone’s face. If you look at my track record, I have never done that. I came to watch the fight, I saw what I saw, and I know what I need to do.”

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When asked about a possible interim bout, Joshua added: “Good question. There is both options. We’ll see. I was in a serious incident maybe four months ago. I need to really check out what is going on with my return to the ring. But I’m here, keeping my eye on the game. I am not ducking anyone, there is just things in my life I need to tend to.

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“I am sorting some things out. My brothers, their parents, the brotherhood of taking care of things. That is the priority right now.”

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The long-anticipated clash between the two British heavyweights has been in the works for over a decade but has repeatedly fallen through, leaving fans still waiting for a definitive showdown.

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