Tyson Fury open to David Benavidez as Anthony Joshua fight looks in doubt
Tyson Fury has welcomed the prospect of facing David Benavidez after reporting problems emerged around the proposed Anthony Joshua fight. Fury told FuriociTV he views Benavidez as a tougher, more realistic replacement opponent.
Tyson Fury has reacted to reports that his long-awaited domestic clash with Anthony Joshua may be in jeopardy by saying he would be willing to face David Benavidez instead. Fury told FuriociTV he believes the AJ fight is effectively stalled and called Benavidez a tougher assignment, saying the three-division world champion would be a realistic replacement. The comments come after reports of behind-the-scenes issues involving potential promotional involvement that could disrupt the proposed December 11 Principality Stadium showdown.
Fury says Benavidez would be a sterner test than Joshua
Speaking with FuriociTV, Tyson Fury said he would welcome a fight with David Benavidez if the scheduled meeting with Anthony Joshua fails to materialise. Fury described Benavidez as “about a four to five times harder fight than Joshua” and added: “I’ll take it because that’s what I do – there’s not a man on this earth that I won’t fight.” He also predicted Benavidez would stop Joshua in about three rounds. Fury’s remarks underline his view that a bout with Benavidez — whom Boxing News described as a three-division world champion — would be a significant challenge.
December 11 Principality Stadium date in doubt after reports of contractual disputes
The Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury fight was announced last week for December 11 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium as a Netflix and Ring event. Within days, though, The Ring’s Mike Coppinger reported that behind-the-scenes problems could prevent the heavyweight showdown from taking place. Coppinger’s reporting said Matchroom's Eddie Hearn is challenging the proposed involvement of Dana White, who asserts that Joshua’s contract bars promotional participation from the Zuffa Boxing boss. It remains unclear whether those issues can be resolved, and Boxing News framed Fury’s openness to Benavidez against that uncertainty.
Benavidez’s recent form and scheduling links
David Benavidez earned unified cruiserweight honours in May, defeating Gilberto Ramirez with a sixth-round finish to claim the WBO and WBA titles, as noted in the Boxing News report. Benavidez has also been linked to a unification clash with WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak on December 12, though Mike Coppinger reported the American could fight a day earlier. Boxing News also noted that Benavidez has not previously competed at heavyweight — a point Fury acknowledged when comparing the different challenges each opponent would present.