A long-anticipated clash between former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former unified champion Anthony Joshua has remained just out of reach for years. Although negotiations have come close on several occasions, the fight has yet to materialize. Now, adding fuel to the ongoing conversation, Fury’s namesake, the legendary Mike Tyson, has weighed in with his thoughts on the matchup.

‘The Gypsy King’ is coming off back-to-back losses to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. Following the defeats, Fury announced his retirement from boxing. While he’s made similar announcements in the past, only to return for major bouts, this time seems permanent. Still, many believe that the lure of a massive payday, particularly in a long-awaited clash with Joshua, could be enough to tempt Fury back into the ring.

Meanwhile, Top Rank boss Bob Arum had claimed that Fury has become well off from his previous earnings to put in the effort into training. “If I [were] a betting man, I would say he will never fight again,” Arum told BBC 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast. Arum even quoted the legendary Marvin Hagler, noting, “a rich guy who goes to bed wearing silk pyjamas doesn’t get up in the morning to do road work.”

Despite Arum’s take on the matter, Mike Tyson, who fought at the age of 58 last year, believes Fury and Joshua should lace up the gloves even if it were for a last fight. “I think that’s beautiful for both of them,” Tyson told iFL TV during the Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero event in Times Square in New York. “They both go home and take care of the fans and a great payday [as well].”

He also thought that the fight would be fair for both boxers since they are coming off losses. “I think they both had skeptical last fights, but still [it would] be a fight that the crowd would like to watch,” Tyson told the reporter. Interestingly, Joshua suffered one of the brutal knockout losses to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September last year. 

While it’s unclear whether the all-British clash would ever happen, Anthony Joshua seems to have a plan regardless. 

Anthony Joshua unravels three fight hit-list: Does it include Tyson Fury? 

Anthony Joshua has unveiled a potential three-fight hit-list as he eyes a return to the heavyweight spotlight—and yes, Tyson Fury still tops it. Despite Fury insisting he’s retired, Joshua remains hopeful, saying, “Hopefully [the Fury fight] happens. The industry should not be left without it.”

Recovering from surgery after his stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois, ‘AJ’ is also weighing bouts with Deontay Wilder, Martin Bakole, and Agit Kabayel. “I think a potential fight with Martin Bakole, Agit Kabayel, or Deontay Wilder would work too,” Joshua said. With Wilder rebuilding from losses and the Bakole talks previously stalling, Kabayel could emerge as a top contender. 

Joshua added, “To be good is not enough in boxing… I need to step my game up.”

That said, even though Anthony Joshua seems open to the challenge, Tyson Fury wants to stay in retirement. While the boxers are missing out on a great payday, the boxing world, especially the British boxing fans, are missing out on one of the biggest fights in the sport. Do you agree with Mike Tyson? Do you think the fight should/would happen?