Tyson Fury on Anthony Joshua’s loss: ‘Age doesn’t wait for anybody’

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury had a front-row seat to watch current heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois destroy Anthony Joshua, as Dubois shocked and dropped Joshua four times to score a fifth-round knockout win.

Although Fury is fully focused on exacting revenge against Oleksandr Usyk on Dec. 21 following a loss to the Ukrainian in May – the first of his career – “The Gypsy King” was very much an interested observer for Dubois’ career-defining win against Joshua.

“He did a very good job – fair play to young Dan,” Fury told members of the media as he left London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday night. “Everyone wrote him off, you know. Coming in, he was the [IBF] champion and everyone treated him like he was a bum. He showed what he is made of. It’s very good for him – fantastic.

“What went wrong [for Joshua] is what always goes wrong in heavyweight boxing – a good right to the chin, and that was it.

“It’s heavyweight boxing, boys. Shit happens. You get knocked spark-out. It could have been me, you or anybody. In the heavyweight division, you are one punch from being smashed and knocked out.”

Much like Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) has gotten off the canvas several times throughout his career, the Brit gave credit to his career-long rival for the courageous performance. Moments before Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) was knocked out with a big right hand, he rocked and rattled Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs).

“You get caught with punches, and you don’t see many heavyweights get hit, get knocked down and get back up and continue,” said Fury. 

“It’s up to [Joshua] on whatever he wants to do [next]. If he’s got good ambitions, he’ll come back once again. He’s got to make his own decisions. He’s a big boy.”

Joshua, who will turn 35 in October, shut down retirement talk immediately after the fight. The 36-year-old Fury, who is 14 months older than Joshua, suffered his first loss, to Usyk, at age 35. Fury alluded that age may have played a factor in Joshua’s loss. 

“I thought it was a 50-50 fight [going into it],” said Fury. “Dubois is a lot younger at 27. AJ is 35, like me. Age doesn’t wait for anybody, does it? It is what it is.”

Fury and Dubois are both promoted by Frank Warren. Fury plans on beating Usyk to then set up an undisputed title slugfest against his Queensberry roster mate.

“I’m going to fight the fucking rabbit and ugly bastard Usyk and take all of the belts back once again – I guarantee that,” said Fury. “After I beat Usyk, I’ll fight Dubois. That’s my plan.”

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, USA Today, The Guardian, Newsweek, Men’s Health, NFL.com, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Magazine and more. He has been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.