Shocking Truth: Tyson Fury Once Mentored Anthony Joshua Before They Became Legends!

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will forever be considered two of the greatest names in British boxing history. As former unified world heavyweight champions, both men reached the pinnacle of the sport, securing multiple world titles and making their mark on the heavyweight division.

However, despite their dominance in the ring and years of speculation, they have never faced each other in a professional fight. Boxing fans around the world have long dreamed of a showdown between these two British giants, but the fight has never materialized.

At one point, Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, even went as far as booking a stadium for a potential bout. However, negotiations repeatedly fell apart, and with Tyson Fury’s retirement announcements and various contract disputes, the fight remained a fantasy rather than reality.

Despite never sharing the ring as opponents, the two have engaged in numerous verbal battles over the years. Their rivalry has been well documented, from press conferences to interviews, where both men have traded insults and opinions about each other’s careers. However, what many may not know is that Tyson Fury once gave career advice to Anthony Joshua long before either of them became world champions.

Tyson Fury Gave Anthony Joshua Advice in 2013

In 2013, both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua participated in a special edition of The Gloves Are Off, a famous roundtable discussion series produced by Sky Sports. The event brought together some of the most influential figures in British heavyweight boxing, including Lennox Lewis, Frank Bruno, and Scott Welch.

At the time, Tyson Fury was 25 years old and already an established professional fighter. He had built an undefeated record and was coming off a crucial victory over Steve Cunningham, which extended his record to 21 wins and 0 losses.

On the other hand, Anthony Joshua was just 24 years old and had only recently turned professional following his gold medal triumph at the 2012 Olympic Games. The boxing world had high expectations for Joshua, with many believing he had the potential to become a future world champion.

During the discussion, despite still being relatively inexperienced compared to what he would later achieve, Tyson Fury was asked to offer some words of wisdom to Anthony Joshua, who was at the very beginning of his professional journey.

Fury’s advice was straightforward yet powerful.

“Just listen to yourself. Do not listen to anyone else, not one person. Because if something goes wrong, you cannot blame other people and sit there pointing the finger. Always know that you are only to blame yourself because you made that decision.”

He continued:

“And whatever you do in life, never regret it. No ifs, buts, should have, or would have. Give it everything while you can, when you can, and leave nothing behind.”

Surprisingly, Anthony Joshua did not respond to Fury at the time, as the discussion ended shortly after Fury delivered his message.

This interaction has since become a fascinating moment in boxing history, showing an established contender advising a young rising star—two men who would go on to dominate the heavyweight division in their own ways.

Tyson Fury Became World Champion in 2015

Although neither man held a world title at the time of their discussion in 2013, they would both go on to fulfill their ambitions and capture heavyweight gold just a few years later.

In 2015, Tyson Fury shocked the world when he defeated long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko in a stunning upset. Many doubted Fury’s chances, but the British fighter confidently predicted he would dethrone Klitschko. When they stepped into the ring in November 2015, Fury lived up to his promise.

Using his superior movement, slick defense, and awkward style, Tyson Fury outboxed Wladimir Klitschko over twelve rounds to become the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion. His victory ended Klitschko’s decade-long reign and marked the arrival of a new force in heavyweight boxing.

However, Fury’s time at the top would be short-lived. Due to personal struggles and issues outside the ring, he was forced to vacate his titles, leaving the heavyweight division open for a new champion to emerge.

Anthony Joshua Claimed His First World Title in 2016

With Tyson Fury sidelined, the opportunity arose for Anthony Joshua to claim his own place at the top. In April 2016, Joshua fought Charles Martin for the vacant IBF World Heavyweight Title.

Displaying his trademark power and precision, Anthony Joshua demolished Charles Martin with a devastating second-round knockout, capturing his first world title.

Unlike Fury’s long, tactical battle against Klitschko, Joshua’s victory was swift and decisive. The win solidified his reputation as the most exciting young heavyweight in the world, and he quickly became the new face of British boxing.

The Paths of Fury and Joshua Diverged

Following their championship victories, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua took very different career paths.

After nearly three years away from boxing, Tyson Fury made a dramatic comeback, shedding over 100 pounds in weight and returning to the ring in 2018. He quickly re-established himself as an elite fighter and went on to engage in a legendary trilogy with Deontay Wilder, reclaiming the WBC heavyweight title in the process.

Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua continued to build his legacy, successfully defending his titles against multiple challengers. However, his career took a turn in 2019 when he suffered a shocking knockout defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr., losing his belts in a major upset. Joshua managed to reclaim his titles in their rematch, but in 2021, he suffered consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, losing his position as the top heavyweight in the division.

A Fight That Never Happened

Despite years of speculation and multiple negotiations, a Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight never materialized. Fans around the world were eager to see these two British giants collide in the ring, but contractual disputes, promotional issues, and Fury’s unpredictable career decisions kept the fight from happening.

Even in 2023 and 2024, talks of a potential showdown continued, but both fighters pursued different paths, making the dream matchup increasingly unlikely.

Legacy of Two British Heavyweight Kings

Although they never fought each other, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have both cemented their legacies as two of the greatest British heavyweights of all time.

Fury’s unorthodox style, defensive mastery, and incredible comeback story have made him one of the most captivating figures in boxing history. Meanwhile, Joshua’s explosive power, disciplined approach, and commercial appeal have turned him into a global superstar.

The career advice Tyson Fury gave to Anthony Joshua in 2013 may have seemed like just another moment in a boxing discussion, but in hindsight, it was a remarkable exchange between two future legends.

While the world may never see them face off inside the ring, their impact on the sport will be felt for generations to come.