CARDIFF — Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are scheduled to meet for the WBA ‘super’ title at Principality Stadium on December 11, but the matchup has drawn criticism from boxing legend Barry McGuigan. Despite the event being marketed as a long-awaited showdown between the two British heavyweights, McGuigan contends that neither fighter has earned the right to compete for a world title.
“I think it does devalue the WBA title, but money talks all languages,” McGuigan told Boxing News. “Even though both these guys have seen better days… it is a major event. Money talks and bulls**t walks… but let’s be honest: they don’t deserve to be fighting for a world title. Both of them have been beaten – Usyk battered both of them – and he has proved, unreservedly, that he’s the superior fighter.”
The critique arrives as both fighters prepare for the contest following recent activity. Fury enters the bout after securing victories against Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach. Conversely, Joshua’s most recent appearance in July saw him survive two knockdowns before stopping Kristian Prenga in the second round, a performance that raised questions regarding his current punch resistance.
While Joshua suffered losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, observers noted that Fury’s two encounters with the Ukrainian in 2024 were more competitive. Regardless of the debate surrounding their current standing in the division, the December 11 fight remains a significant commercial event, marking the culmination of a rivalry that has been discussed for a decade.