Tyson Fury Willing To Fight The 'Monster' If Anthony Joshua Pulls Out

Tyson Fury seems determined to keep his December date in Cardiff — even if his desired opponent Anthony Joshua pulls out. We finally got a date, location and viewing information for Fury-Joshua , but the former is seemingly already preparing for what might happen if his rival isn't available. According to Fury, he's willing to fight light heavyweight-cruiserweight KO artist, David Benavidez. Let's talk boxing.

WBA and WBO cruiserweight, WBC light heavyweight

Jai Opetaia, agreed for May 5 in Las Vegas

Benavidez isn't unattached. After Jai Opetaia stopped Noel Mikaelian in the ninth at T-Mobile Arena on September 13, Opetaia called him into the ring and the two agreed to fight on May 5 in Las Vegas. Benavidez is also a three-division champion — he took a 25-pound jump to stop Gilberto Ramirez in six for the WBA and WBO cruiserweight belts in May.

I won't go as far as to say Fury-Benavidez is a more intriguing fight than Fury-Joshua. After all, we've waited more than a decade for this fight. However, I can say that it wouldn't be a tough sell to boxing fans outside of the UK. British boxing fans probably won't settle for anything less than Fury-Joshua. The two men are the most iconic heavyweights from the country since Lennox Lewis. However, in the United States and elsewhere, Fury-Benavidez feels like a dream matchup that most probably wouldn't imagine they'd get a chance to watch.

Benavidez was a huge super middleweight and a relatively large light heavyweight. He's big enough at cruiserweight to make you wonder if he could be effective as a heavyweight. It's interesting.

That said, it makes more sense for Benavidez to clash with current cruiserweight king, Jai Opetaia. Benavidez got in the ring after Opetaia stopped Noel Mikaelian earlier this month. That's the fight to make for Benavidez. Then if he or Opetaia want to test their strength at heavyweight, the move up would be more sensible.

Elevated to WBC champion, stopped Anthony Yarde in his only defense

Stopped Gilberto Ramirez in six for the WBA and WBO titles, May 2026