Joshua shares email as VADA asks for Fury

Anthony Joshua has shared an email from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association asking for Tyson Fury’s whereabouts as the two heavyweights prepare to enter the agency’s testing program ahead of their expected December fight.

Joshua posted a screenshot of the email on Snapchat. The message, which appears to have been sent by VADA president Margaret Goodman, asks whether Fury will enroll and explains that both fighters are normally signed up at the same time. VADA also requires a whereabouts form before out-of-competition testing can begin.

Joshua added the caption, “I’m not accusing TF of anything,” making clear that he was not suggesting Fury had breached any anti-doping rules.

The post came after comments from Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who said both fighters should already be part of the VADA program under the terms of Joshua’s contract. 

Hearn later acknowledged that the wording of Fury’s agreement may be different, meaning the same requirement may not apply to the former heavyweight champion.

A source close to the negotiations told BoxingScene that Fury’s team intends to enroll once the fight has been formally announced. Fury’s camp also issued a brief response, saying that “VADA will be the first people we will be calling” once the contest is officially finalized.

The issue may appear to be linked to the timing of the fight announcement rather than any refusal to undergo testing. 

VADA’s program requires fighters to provide information about where they live, train and travel, along with time periods when they can be located for testing.

The exchange comes as Joshua and Fury continue to finalize a fight expected to take place in December at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. 

An official announcement and press conference are reportedly being prepared, with both fighters already training for the proposed heavyweight meeting.

Joshua has been working with Ben Davison in Essex as preparations continue for the fight. Fury is also back in camp as the two sides work towards completing the remaining details.

The VADA email does not indicate a failed test or an anti-doping violation involving Fury. It simply shows that the agency is waiting for the information needed to enroll him in the program and begin testing.