Tyson Fury claims Anthony Joshua showdown is OFF as he slams 'idiot' rival over Monday deadline
Tyson Fury insists his long-awaited bout with Anthony Joshua is off as he claimed his rival failed to respond to a Monday evening contract deadline.
Over the weekend, Fury declared Joshua had until 5pm tonight to put pen to paper on the proposed mega-fight in Cardiff on December 3. Joshua had said he would sign the contract but promoter Eddie Hearn stressed there was "no chance" the all-British heavyweight title showdown would be finalised in time for Fury's self-imposed deadline.
With 5pm now come and gone, Fury has launched into an Instagram rant, branding Joshua an "idiot" and a "coward" as well as declaring there is no chance the contest will happen. He said: "Well guys, it's official: D-Day has come and gone. It's gone past 5 o'clock [on] Monday, no contract has been signed. It's officially over for Joshua. He is now out in the cold with the wolfpack. Forget about it.
"Idiot, coward, s***house bodybuilder. Always knew it, always knew you didn't have the minerals to fight the Gypsy King. Regardless of what the f*** you say now, I don't really care. Good luck with your career and your life. End of."
Joshua 's camp previously said they had "accepted all terms" to make the fight happen. It's been reported Fury has now lined up Mahmoud Charr as an alternative opponent, putting one of boxing 's most highly-anticipated fights back on ice.