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Sports

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury has become an endless, hellish loop. Who else wants out?

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No, Anthony Joshua’s win over Kristian Prenga was not fixed. But his fight with Tyson Fury might be broken beyond repair.

When Joshua cascaded to the canvas inside 20 seconds on Saturday, there was a brief feeling that his super-fight with Fury was collapsing him with. But barely five minutes later, Joshua was laughing off this scare as Prenga’s head snapped against the bottom ropes, leaving the helpless heavyweight to fade back into boxing obscurity as his consciousness faded, too.

Suggestions that the outcome was fixed (and there are a strange number of them) should not be entertained for a second. Every measurement of pain and damage in those chaotic few minutes were real. That should not need explaining.

Anthony Joshua (left) and Tyson Fury in their fights on the last weekend of July
Anthony Joshua (left) and Tyson Fury in their fights on the last weekend of July (Getty)

Yet the narrative of the fight flipped almost as quickly as the narrative around Joshua vs Fury, which was being touted 24 hours earlier as a bout that was destined to go “AJ”’s way – such was the lacklustre nature of Fury’s win over Mariusz Wach. Fury was victorious after seven rounds in Thailand (although the fight was broadcast nowhere), but a 46-year-old Wach was no litmus test for the abilities of the “Gypsy King”.

Just as he did against Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, Fury looked comfortable but nothing more. Still, in fairness, comfortable is better than what Joshua experienced in Saudi Arabia.

So the relevant pages will read “Fury def. Wach via seventh-round TKO (3:00); Joshua def. Prenga via second-round KO (2:43)” – a removal of the final hurdles between the British heavyweights. However, the issue is that Fury and Joshua are certainly not speeding down the track to a November showdown at Wembley.

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The 2am GMT ring walks proposed by Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh were already farcical, but now there is talk that Joshua’s contract dictates a showdown on British soil, whereas Fury’s allows for a meeting in the US.

Furthermore, there must be conversations behind closed doors about whether Joshua is in the right state mentally to return to the ring in November.

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In other words, two hurdles were dismantled at the weekend (laboriously, rather than being battered down), but two more might have arisen.

Do not be surprised if Joshua vs Fury is delayed until 2027. Do not be surprised if more warm-up fights are suggested. Do not be surprised if we never see the big one, even if those involved with the contracts might bristle at that suggestion.

Joshua climbs off the canvas after one of two first-round knockdowns
Joshua climbs off the canvas after one of two first-round knockdowns (Getty)

Do not forget: Joshua vs Fury has been signed before, and it still fell through.

Against Prenga, Joshua was already making a remarkably quick comeback after surviving a car crash in December, a tragic accident in Nigeria that killed two of his teammates. For all of Joshua’s admirable determination, for all of the soul searching, for all of the time spent training with his old rival Oleksandr Usyk in Ukraine, the blunt truth is that he was dropped by the first meaningful shot Prenga threw.

Whether Joshua’s mind or chin is not right, either is cause for concern against Fury. Then again, the weekend’s fights led one boxer to tell The Independent that Joshua vs Fury could be a case of “chin is gone” versus “legs are gone”.

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There was already a consensus that Fury vs Joshua, should it take place in November, would be occurring several years too late. But at various points in the last few years, this writer would have told you that each boxer might have diminished to a similar degree, and not to an excessive one, making the match-up an alluring prospect still. Of course it would have been best to see them clash at the heights of their powers, but all you really needed was to believe that both had a realistic chance of winning – and the odds have shifted time and again over the years.

But now, Joshua vs Fury really might come down to who has declined more severely, to the point that it is no longer an enticing proposition.

Fury eased past Mariusz Wach, one day before Joshua beat Kristian Prenga
Fury eased past Mariusz Wach, one day before Joshua beat Kristian Prenga (Getty)

It’s not unusual for heavyweights to box into their 40s, but some of the all-time greats have looked closer to their primes at that age than Joshua and Fury do at 36 and 37.

So, it’s not just that the former champions aren’t speeding down the track to their long-awaited fight, as mentioned above; either man might run out of road before it arrives.

Each time a step towards Joshua vs Fury is taken, the fight inches further out of reach, like some sort of Sisyphean punishment. The fight, as a concept rather than an actual sporting contest, has become an endless, hellish loop. I can’t be the only one who wants out.

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Sports

3 WWE Superstars Who Could Join Dominik Mysterio’s New Faction

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Dominik Mysterio stunned the wrestling world by betraying a major ally in AAA and aligning himself with the El Ojo faction alongside Omos. The move marked another significant chapter in Dominik’s evolution as one of wrestling’s most unpredictable heels, while also raising questions about the long-term future of the group.

Although Dominik remains a member of The Judgment Day in WWE, his latest alliance has fueled speculation that WWE and AAA could further expand the stable with familiar faces from Stamford. Given WWE’s ties with AAA, Triple H has plenty of options if he decides to strengthen Dominik’s new faction.

That said, in this article, we look at three WWE Superstars who could realistically join Dominik Mysterio’s new faction.

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#3. Rusev

Rusev has re-established himself as one of WWE‘s most dangerous heavyweights since returning to the company. The Bulgarian Brute has spent much of 2026 demolishing anyone placed in front of him. Thus, proving that he remains a legitimate powerhouse capable of changing the outcome of any match.

However, despite his impressive performances, Rusev has yet to find a long-term alliance that can elevate him into the main-event picture. Perhaps that is where Dominik Mysterio’s new faction could come into play.

Every successful stable needs an enforcer. Thus, few men fit that role better than Rusev. Although Dominik thrives through manipulation and mind games, The Bulgarian Brute provides the raw destruction necessary to intimidate opponents physically.

Also, the chemistry between the two would create an interesting dynamic. The younger Mysterio rarely wins through overwhelming strength, instead relying on numbers and opportunistic tactics. On the other hand, Rusev enjoys inflicting punishment and doesn’t need shortcuts to dominate.

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Thus, adding The Bulgarian Brute to the faction would give “Dirty” Dom someone capable of protecting him whenever rival babyfaces attempt to even the odds.

Also, it would benefit Rusev. Rather than drifting between singles feuds, he would immediately become one of the group’s central figures. Thus, giving WWE another dominant heel stable capable of competing with the likes of Roman Reigns’ Bloodline.

#2. Ethan Page

Ethan Page has quietly become one of WWE’s most complete performers. His arrogance, confidence, and ability to manipulate situations make him a natural fit alongside Dominik Mysterio. Unlike Rusev, Page wouldn’t simply serve as muscle. Instead, he would become another mastermind capable of helping Dominik execute elaborate schemes both inside and outside the ring.

Recent episodes of RAW have already seen Page working alongside Rusev in tag team competition. Thus, suggesting WWE is comfortable pairing him with other villainous stars. Given this, joining Dominik’s faction would elevate that concept even further.

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Page possesses the charisma to handle microphone duties while “Dirty” Dom continues drawing some of the loudest boos in professional wrestling. Together, they could constantly provoke opponents before relying on the numbers advantage to secure victories.

From a storyline perspective, Ethan’s obsession with proving he’s better than everyone else aligns perfectly with Dominik’s own inflated ego. Rather than competing for leadership, the two could function as equals. Thus, creating a dangerous partnership built around manipulation, arrogance, and calculated aggression.

#1. Ricky Saints could join Dominik Mysterio’s faction

If WWE truly wants Dominik Mysterio’s new faction to become one of its premier heel groups, Ricky Saints may be the perfect final addition.

Saints has all the tools to become a future world champion. He’s charismatic, athletic, and one of the best talkers on WWE programming. However, aligning himself with Dominik Mysterio could accelerate that rise while giving the faction another headline attraction.

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Unlike Rusev and Ethan Page, Saints brings genuine star power as a singles competitor. His confidence naturally complements Dominik’s personality, while his ability to verbally dismantle opponents would make the faction even more entertaining. Together, the pair could dominate promo segments before backing up their words inside the ring.

Another intriguing aspect is Ricky Saints’ versatility. He can wrestle technical matches, high-paced contests, or main-event style encounters. Thus, giving the faction someone capable of challenging for championships across multiple divisions. That flexibility would make Dominik’s alliance far more dangerous than simply being another numbers-based stable.

Also, there is the possibility of internal competition. Ricky has never been portrayed as someone willing to remain in another superstar’s shadow for long. Initially, he could help Dominik Mysterio establish El Ojo as a dominant force across WWE and AAA. However, over time, Saints’ growing popularity and success could create tension within the group. Thus leading to an eventual power struggle.

Those types of internal conflicts have historically produced some of WWE’s most memorable faction storylines.

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Thus, with Dominik continuing to evolve beyond The Judgment Day while simultaneously expanding his influence in AAA through El Ojo, WWE has an opportunity to create one of its most compelling cross-promotional stables yet.