After being labelled a ‘fraud’ by John Fury, Big Joe Egan fired back with a defiant challenge: “Make the fight happen.”
The ongoing feud between Tyson Fury’s father, John Fury, and former boxer Joe Egan has escalated since Fury called Egan a “fake hardman” during a conversation with actors Russell Crowe and Ray Winstone. This dispute dates back to 2022, when John Fury was accused of slandering Egan at the premiere of Prizefighter, a film featuring Egan.
John Fury has become a contentious figure in boxing circles, especially after a notorious headbutting incident involving a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s team in 2024. Recently, he was filmed in a heated exchange with boxing pundit Steve Bunce, an incident for which he later apologised.
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Egan, 60, has made it clear he welcomes a showdown. He claims that financial offers to stage a fight have already been made by organisations including Misfits Boxing and BKFC. Yet, John Fury seems reluctant. After Egan called him last month proposing a fight, Fury’s expletive-filled response revealed the tension between them.
Speaking to BirminghamLive at Flex Fitness Gym in Digbeth, Egan accused Fury of “making every excuse in the book” to avoid facing him in the ring. “I’m ready to fight at the drop of a hat,” Egan said. “It’s been dragging on for years. John talks like a fighter and a hard man, but he hasn’t shown it. The Fury family has a proud fighting legacy—so it’s time for him to step up and prove himself.”
Refusing to settle the dispute in court, Egan insists the answer lies in fighting. “The man insulted me. We’re fighting men, so let’s fight,” he said.
Despite calls from Egan and former champion Carl Froch, no fight with John Fury has been scheduled. After meeting Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, at the Cheltenham Festival, Egan told BirminghamLive he encouraged Brown to “make the fight happen.” Recalling the kindness Brown showed him two decades ago, Egan expressed hope that Brown could help arrange the bout.
“John, if you’re watching this, it’s time to stop talking and start fighting,” Egan said. “There’s money on the table. I could do with a payday, frankly. Step up to the mark—let’s settle this properly in the ring.”