Tyson Fury Offers Anthony Joshua 60-40 Split: 'I Want This Fight to Happen'

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 6, 2022

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Tyson Fury sits on his throne before entering the ring prior to the WBC World Heavyweight Title Fight between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on April 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Tyson Fury has laid out his terms for a possible encounter with Anthony Joshua.

The unbeaten heavyweight said Tuesday on Instagram he has offered a 60-40 money split, adding that Joshua "doesn't have any excuses now not to take" the fight.

Michael Benson @MichaelBensonn
Tyson Fury on his 60/40 offer to Anthony Joshua: "I want this fight to happen. He doesn't have any excuses now not to take it." [📽️ <a href="https://twitter.com/Tyson_Fury?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tyson_Fury</a>] <a href="https://t.co/eQGoovkU9A">pic.twitter.com/eQGoovkU9A</a>

Prior to his TKO victory over Dillian Whyte in April, Fury signaled he intended to retire following the event.

Retirements rarely hold in boxing, especially when the boxer in question is near or at the peak of his powers.

In July, Fury unsurprisingly entertained the idea of fighting Joshua under certain conditions. By mid-August, he was reaffirming his departure from the sport:

TYSON FURY @Tyson_Fury
MASSIVE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAD AN INPUT IN MY CAREER OVER THE YEARS & AFTER LONG HARD CONVERSATIONS IV FINALY DECIDED TO WALK AWAY & ON MY 34th BIRTHDAY I SAY Bon voyage. HEARS A FEW WHO MADE IS SPECIAL ALONG THE WAY… <a href="https://t.co/jNeF1CbBqm">pic.twitter.com/jNeF1CbBqm</a>

Less than a month later, he has pivoted once again to staging a possible comeback. He challenged Joshua to a "Battle of Britain" within the next few months:

TYSON FURY @Tyson_Fury
Call out to <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyjoshua?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@anthonyjoshua</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WBCBoxing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WBCBoxing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/frankwarren_tv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@frankwarren_tv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/trboxing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trboxing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/uk?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#uk</a> 😎✅<a href="https://t.co/P4Yw4mtW1R">pic.twitter.com/P4Yw4mtW1R</a>

Joshua responded to say he's open to the idea of a date in December:

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Anthony Joshua @anthonyjoshua
Yea calm. I don’t do the online discussions just for clout, so if your really about it shout <a href="https://twitter.com/258mgt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@258mgt</a>. I’ll be ready in December. Khalas <a href="https://t.co/kKCWdrlmol">https://t.co/kKCWdrlmol</a>

Fury collected $32 million from his fight with Whyte, commanding an 80 percent share of the $40 million total purse. A bout with Joshua would be an even bigger payday because of how much fans have been clamoring to see this matchup. Joshua's second straight loss to Oleksandr Usyk in August will have done little to hurt his earning power.

Of course, Fury and Joshua have been down this road before and watched their plans fall through. They appeared to be nearing the finish line in 2021 before an arbitrator ruled Fury had to give Deontay Wilder a rematch.

Joshua didn't respond kindly to the news:

Anthony Joshua @anthonyjoshua
.<a href="https://twitter.com/Tyson_Fury?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tyson_Fury</a> the world now sees you for the fraud you are. You’ve let boxing down! You lied to the fans and led them on. Used my name for clout not a fight. Bring me any championship fighter who can handle their business correctly.

While there are obviously plenty of specifics to iron out, Fury's offer seems pretty straightforward and a reasonable deal for both sides.

Until the contracts are officially signed, though, fans might remain cautiously optimistic that all parties reach an agreement.