Tyson Fury’s Biggest Regret? Ricky Hatton Warns He’ll Never Forgive Himself for Dodging Joshua

For years, boxing fans have been dreaming of a heavyweight mega-fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua—a showdown that could have defined an entire era. But despite multiple negotiations, setbacks, and heated exchanges, the fight has never materialized.

Now, British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has issued a stark warning to Fury, suggesting that he might never forgive himself for failing to make the fight happen. Hatton, a close friend of Fury, believes that not facing Joshua will haunt Fury for the rest of his life, potentially leaving a permanent mark on his legacy.

But why didn’t this fight happen? Was it Fury’s reluctance, business politics, or bad timing? Let’s break down the missed opportunity, what it means for Fury’s historical standing, and whether there’s still time to salvage his legacy before retirement.

The Fight That Should Have Happened

The Fury vs. Joshua bout was supposed to be the biggest British heavyweight clash in history. Two world champions, both at the peak of their careers, with national pride and heavyweight dominance on the line.

1. The Failed 2021 Mega-Fight

In 2021, Fury and Joshua were on the verge of finalizing a two-fight deal worth over $150 million to take place in Saudi Arabia. Fans were ecstatic, believing they would finally see the two best British heavyweights go head-to-head.

However, a last-minute arbitration ruling forced Fury into a third fight with Deontay Wilder, halting negotiations. That delay proved costly for Joshua, who ended up losing his belts to Oleksandr Usyk, derailing the historic matchup.

2. The 2022 Breakdown

In late 2022, Fury publicly challenged Joshua to a December showdown, giving him a short deadline to sign the contract. Joshua initially accepted but later pulled out, citing issues with the rushed negotiations. Fury went on to fight Derek Chisora instead, in what many saw as a disappointing replacement fight.

At this point, fans started questioning whether Fury really wanted the Joshua fight or if he was deliberately avoiding it.

3. The 2023 Standoff and Saudi Arabia’s Role

With Saudi Arabia now hosting major fights, promoters have tried to resurrect Fury vs. Joshua multiple times. However, Fury chose to fight Francis Ngannou, while Joshua continued his rebuilding phase after consecutive losses to Usyk.

Despite the continued interest, the fight remains nothing more than a fantasy match-up, with both sides blaming each other for its failure.

Ricky Hatton’s Warning: Fury’s Biggest Regret?

Ricky Hatton, a former light-welterweight world champion and one of Britain’s most beloved boxers, has now weighed in on the situation. Hatton, who has been a strong supporter of Fury throughout his career, believes that failing to fight Joshua will be Fury’s biggest regret when he retires.

1. A Stain on Fury’s Legacy

Hatton has openly stated that Fury’s resume will never feel complete without fighting Joshua. While Fury has faced Wladimir Klitschko, Deontay Wilder, and other top contenders, the Joshua fight would have been the defining moment of his career.

• “Fury might have all the belts, all the money, and all the respect,” Hatton said.
• “But when he looks back, he’ll ask himself, ‘Did I fight the best of my generation?’ And the answer might be no.”

This is a major concern for Fury’s legacy. Many all-time great heavyweights, from Muhammad Ali to Lennox Lewis, took on every major challenge in their era. If Fury retires without facing Joshua, some may argue that he avoided his toughest British rival.

2. Missing Out on a Historic All-British Showdown

The UK has never had a fight of this magnitude between two homegrown heavyweight champions. A fight between Fury and Joshua at Wembley Stadium or in Saudi Arabia could have shattered pay-per-view records and cemented both fighters as legends.

Hatton believes Fury will regret not being part of what could have been the biggest night in British boxing history.

• “This was the fight to settle all debates. Who was the best heavyweight from Britain? If Fury never fights Joshua, we might never get that answer,” Hatton warned.

Why Didn’t Fury vs. Joshua Happen?

While Hatton puts pressure on Fury, there are several factors that contributed to the fight’s collapse.

1. Business and Promotional Conflicts

Fury is aligned with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, while Joshua is backed by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. The rivalry between these two promoters has often led to negotiation breakdowns.

Both sides have accused the other of deliberately making negotiations difficult, further delaying the fight.

2. Fury’s Unpredictable Nature

Unlike Joshua, who has consistently taken on top challengers like Usyk, Klitschko, and Povetkin, Fury has been known for changing opponents last minute.

• Fury walked away from negotiations multiple times, setting unrealistic deadlines for Joshua to sign contracts.
• He has prioritized other fights, such as Ngannou and Chisora, over making the Joshua fight happen.

Many fans believe Fury was simply never truly interested in facing Joshua.

3. Joshua’s Losses to Usyk

Had Joshua defeated Usyk, the Fury fight would have been unavoidable. However, his two losses to the Ukrainian made him lose his championship status, lowering his bargaining power in negotiations.

Fury may have lost interest in fighting Joshua once he was no longer a champion, further delaying the dream match.

Is It Too Late? Can the fight still happen?

With both fighters still active, there is still hope for Fury vs. Joshua—but time is running out.

• Fury is set to fight Oleksandr Usyk in May 2024 for the undisputed heavyweight championship.
• Joshua, on the other hand, is targeting big-money fights in Saudi Arabia, possibly against Deontay Wilder.

If Fury defeats Usyk and Joshua wins his upcoming fights, the fight could be bigger than ever. Saudi Arabia’s financial backing means there is still a strong chance that Fury and Joshua could finally meet in late 2024 or early 2025.

Conclusion: Will Fury Regret It?

Tyson Fury has built a reputation as one of the best heavyweights of this era, but his legacy could be incomplete if he never fights Anthony Joshua.

• Ricky Hatton’s warning is clear: Fury might regret never fighting Joshua once he retires.
• The fight would have been the biggest in British boxing history, but repeated failed negotiations have robbed fans of this spectacle.
• Business conflicts, Fury’s unpredictable nature, and Joshua’s losses to Usyk have all contributed to the fight’s collapse.

However, there is still hope. If both fighters continue winning and the right deal is made, Fury vs. Joshua could still happen.  The only question is—will Fury take the fight before it’s too late?