From Boxing King to Mocked: Does Anthony Joshua Truly Deserve the Billion-Dollar Fight Against Fury?

Anthony Joshua, once the undeniable king of heavyweight boxing, now finds himself in an unusual spot. Once hailed as the face of the division—gracing magazines, dominating arenas, and holding multiple world titles—Joshua is now more often the subject of internet memes than boxing accolades.

After back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk and a string of inconsistent performances, critics are louder than ever. But now, rumors are swirling about a billion-dollar showdown against Tyson Fury—a fight that could define the era. The question remains: Does Anthony Joshua truly deserve a fight of that magnitude?

Let’s break it down.

The Once-Untouchable Boxing Star

At his peak, Anthony Joshua was untouchable. A gold medalist in the 2012 Olympics and the unified heavyweight champion by 2018, Joshua brought a mix of power, charisma, and marketability that the sport hadn’t seen since Mike Tyson.

He defeated Wladimir Klitschko in one of the most memorable heavyweight bouts in recent memory, climbed through the ranks by taking out solid contenders like Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin, and filled stadiums across the UK.

He was the sport’s golden boy. The UK’s pride. The global face of boxing.

But then came Andy Ruiz Jr..

The Fall: Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk

Joshua’s shocking 2019 loss to Ruiz turned everything upside down. Ruiz wasn’t supposed to be a threat. He was mocked for his physique and was seen as a last-minute replacement. But what followed was a seventh-round TKO that sent shockwaves throughout boxing.

Though Joshua won the rematch, many critics noted a more cautious, less aggressive version of the former champion. Then came Oleksandr Usyk, a supremely skilled technician who outboxed Joshua not once, but twice. In those defeats, Joshua looked unsure, hesitant, and far from the aggressive fighter who once tore through the heavyweight division.

Suddenly, his career was under a microscope. The memes came fast. So did the doubters. And Tyson Fury, now the undefeated WBC champion, seemed worlds ahead in both performance and public perception.

Tyson Fury: The Undefeated Heavyweight King

Tyson Fury has not only maintained an undefeated record but has done so with flair. His trilogy with Deontay Wilder was legendary, showcasing heart, power, and tactical brilliance. Fury’s mix of size, movement, and psychological warfare makes him one of the most unique heavyweights ever.

He’s talked trash, sang after fights, battled mental health issues publicly, and won fans worldwide with his authenticity. Now, with Fury’s future in flux and talks of a “last big payday” before retirement, the idea of a massive all-British clash with Anthony Joshua has been reignited.

But does Joshua still belong in that conversation?

The Case For Anthony Joshua: Star Power Still Matters

Despite his recent troubles, Anthony Joshua remains one of the biggest draws in boxing. His name alone sells out stadiums. His fights attract massive global audiences. His rivalry with Fury has been years in the making, with fans begging for the bout that’s eluded them for almost a decade.

Financially, a Joshua vs Fury fight is unrivaled in boxing today. Even a diminished Joshua carries star power that boxers like Usyk or Joe Joyce can’t replicate. In terms of generating money, no one makes more sense for Fury’s final fight than Joshua.

Let’s not forget: Joshua’s last fights still did big business. Against Otto Wallin, he put on a dominant performance and showed glimpses of the old AJ. And with his confidence slowly rebuilding, the idea of a rejuvenated Joshua facing off with Fury is still incredibly appealing.

The Billion-Dollar Dream Fight: Does It Have Substance?

Make no mistake: a Fury vs Joshua fight could easily generate over a billion dollars globally, factoring in gate sales, PPV numbers, international broadcast rights, and sponsorships. The world wants to see these two giants collide.

But is it fair to call this fight a legacy-defining event for Fury?

Critics argue that Joshua has not beaten a top-tier opponent since 2020, and that he has yet to avenge his most high-profile losses. They question whether a fighter who’s no longer a titleholder should be rewarded with the biggest fight in the sport.

“Joshua doesn’t deserve Fury,” said former world champion Carl Froch. “He’s been beaten. He’s looked mentally fragile. Fury is on a different level.”

Still, boxing is as much about storylines and spectacle as it is about rankings. And no storyline in the sport has been more anticipated—or more delayed—than Fury vs Joshua.

Public Perception: From Mockery to Redemption

Joshua’s recent public image hasn’t helped. Videos of him offering awkward post-fight rants or looking confused in corners have gone viral. Some fans and pundits alike have labeled him “robotic” or “mentally broken.”

But Joshua has embraced the criticism.

He’s changed trainers. He’s taken time away from the spotlight. He’s acknowledged his losses and, most importantly, he’s kept fighting. Many athletes would have walked away after such defeats, but Joshua has chosen the hard path—rebuilding himself brick by brick.

And for all the mocking, there’s a growing appreciation for his resilience. Joshua continues to evolve. He continues to train. And with each solid win, the whispers of a comeback get louder.

What Joshua Needs to Prove

To truly justify a billion-dollar mega-fight with Fury, Joshua still has work to do. A win against a top contender—such as Zhilei Zhang, Filip Hrgovic, or even Joseph Parker in a rematch—would solidify his case.

Even better would be a trilogy fight against Usyk, or stepping in as a late replacement against an injured Fury or Usyk, should that scenario arise. A big performance on that kind of stage would answer all the questions.

But even without those wins, Joshua’s résumé is still impressive: two-time unified heavyweight champion, global superstar, and still very much in the title mix.

What Fury Stands to Gain

For Fury, a fight against Joshua would be the ultimate financial send-off. It would cement his legacy as the fighter who beat every top name of his era. While Usyk may be the more “deserving” opponent from a purist standpoint, Joshua brings more eyes, more dollars, and more drama.

And despite Fury’s claims that Joshua is “mentally weak,” the Gypsy King has always respected AJ’s commercial power. Deep down, he knows that the fight would define his career in the public’s eyes.

“We’ve been dancing around this for years. Now let’s give the people what they want,” Fury said recently.

Final Verdict: Does Anthony Joshua Deserve the Billion-Dollar Fight?

So, does Anthony Joshua deserve to fight Tyson Fury for a historic payday?

Yes—if boxing is judged by merit and money combined.

No, Joshua hasn’t been flawless. Yes, his recent record has blemishes. But in a sport that thrives on drama, comebacks, and fan emotion, no one else offers what Joshua does.

He’s still young. Still dangerous. And still the biggest name in British boxing.

If he continues winning, even against mid-level competition, the demand for a Fury-Joshua clash will only grow louder. The money is there. The fans are there. The history is there.

Boxing has always been about the biggest fights, not just the fairest ones.

And right now, there’s no fight bigger than Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua.