Tyson Fury injury claim unconfirmed as Anthony Joshua fight approaches

Tyson Fury’s fight with Anthony Joshua remains scheduled for December despite an unconfirmed suggestion from Frank Bruno that an injury could threaten the contest.

Fury appeared with a mark around his left eye in a video posted on Friday, a day after Bruno said he had heard concerns about the former world heavyweight champion’s fitness.

The 38-year-old did not address the mark in the clip. Bruno offered no details of the alleged injury, and there is no established link between his comments and Fury’s appearance in the video.

The Cardiff event is scheduled for Friday 11 December, with the main fight reportedly expected in the early hours of Saturday 12 December UK time.

What has been said about a possible Tyson Fury injury?

Bruno raised the subject during a conversation with Tony Bellew on Fight Your Corner, saying someone at his gym had suggested Fury was carrying an injury that could prevent him facing Joshua.

Bellew questioned that interpretation, pointing instead to Fury’s reputation for unsettling opponents.

“I do think Tyson Fury is the master of the mind games,” he said, in comments reported by the Mirror.

Neither former champion identified an injury or provided medical information. Their exchange does not establish that Fury’s preparations have been interrupted.

Fury’s video was a message of support for Lerena

The footage that drew attention on Friday was recorded to wish Kevin Lerena luck before his fight against Scotland’s Scott Forrest on Saturday 7 November.

Fury addressed his friend and sparring partner directly, saying: “Good luck on your fight, Kev. Do the business.”

Viewers noticed what appeared to be bruising around his left eye, according to the Mirror’s report. Fury did not explain the mark or discuss his own fitness.

Punch Newspapers reported that he is preparing for Joshua in Miami. Fury returned from retirement earlier this year, beating Arslanbek Makhmudov on points in April before stopping Mariusz Wach in July.

AJ fight date: when is Fury against Joshua?

The event takes place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday 11 December.

The Daily Express, in a report carried by AOL, says the headline bout is planned for the early hours of Saturday 12 December to accommodate American audiences. An exact ring-walk time is not given in that report.

Detail	Information
Event date	Friday 11 December 2026
Reported main-event timing	Early hours of Saturday 12 December, UK time
Venue	Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Fight status	Remains scheduled; injury claim unconfirmed

Our Fury vs Joshua fight guide has the event and broadcast details, with ticket options covered in our Cardiff hospitality guide.

John Fury says he will not attend

Separately, Fury’s father John has said he will stay away from the fight.

In the BBC series Rivals: Fury v Joshua, recorded before the contest was confirmed, he expressed concern about the criticism the loser would face. His comments were about the consequences of defeat, rather than the injury suggestion raised by Bruno.

John subsequently told Playbook Boxing that he would not attend the event.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn offered a contrasting assessment in the BBC series, describing the occasion as potentially one of Britain’s biggest sporting events.

The programme is available on BBC iPlayer from Tuesday 10 November. For now, the December fight remains on the schedule, with no detailed explanation of an injury in the reports behind the latest speculation.

Follow further developments in our boxing news.