Fury vs Joshua Was Announced, Nearly Fell Apart In 24 Hours, And Now They're Finally Face To Face — Here's The Chaos So Far

Stop scrolling, because the fight boxing fans have been begging for for a decade was announced on Thursday and nearly imploded by Friday. Yes, really.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are both now in London for Wednesday's launch press conference, and it looks like the all-British heavyweight blockbuster is still on for 11 December at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, according to BBC Sport.

The Tea ☕

• The fight was officially announced by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, then doubts crept in within 24 hours.
• The row centres on UFC boss Dana White's role in the promotion, with Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn saying his fighter's contract stops White from having one.
• Both fighters have now flown in for Wednesday's presser, and things appear to be back on track.

Wait, What Actually Happened?

Here's the timeline, as reported by BBC Sport. Netflix said Alalshikh's The Ring and White would team up to promote the event. Hearn then said Joshua's contract blocks White from a promotional role.

Cue chaos. White said on Saturday night he didn't know whether the fight, or the press conference, would even happen. Per the BBC, he now won't be attending the launch.

Then came another wobble late Monday over Fury's enrolment in the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) testing programme. Fury's manager Spencer Brown has since said Fury is enrolled, which appears to have sorted that one.

The Blame Game

According to BBC Sport, Hearn alleged the contractual terms around White's involvement weren't being followed, White publicly went after Hearn, and Fury accused Joshua's camp of trying to pull out.

Sky Sports also notes Fury claimed over the weekend that the fight had a "one per cent" chance of happening. One. Per. Cent. And yet here we are, both men in London.

The BBC's analysis is blunt: the past few days were "a desperately poor look for boxing", especially with a shared purse reportedly close to $200m (£151m) on the table. Instead of talking about styles, everyone was talking about clauses.

Travel Diaries, Boxing Edition

Fury, 38, jetted back from Walt Disney World with his family. Joshua, 36, flew in from his training camp in Dubai. Two of the biggest names in British boxing, one very awkward reunion. The pair have never shared a ring professionally despite several failed attempts.

Mind Games Incoming

Sky Sports pundit Matthew Macklin expects Fury to pull out "every trick in the book" on stage, and predicts he'll be animated. Joshua, he says, is less of a psychological-warfare guy, but staying calm can be its own weapon (he points to Carl Froch's approach before his rematch with George Groves).

Macklin's overall prediction? The fight will happen, but with "twists and turns and bumps in the road" on the way. Honestly, after this weekend, who could argue?

So, Is It Actually Happening?

Vibes say yes. But as the BBC points out, this fight has been "on" so many times it's hard to keep count. Wednesday is the chance to reset the narrative. If both men bring the fireworks, the noise might quiet down. If not, the group chat will be LOUD.

Do you believe Fury vs Joshua is really going to happen on 11 December, or are you waiting for the next plot twist? And who's winning the press conference? Sound off below.

Sources: BBC Sport | Sky Sports