Frank Warren breaks silence on Fury injury rumors before Joshua fight

Frank Warren has publicly addressed the growing speculation that Tyson Fury may be carrying an injury that could derail the December 11 megafight against Anthony Joshua.

He called the rumors "absolute nonsense."

But his denial came with a detail that has only fueled more questions.

The promoter spoke to The Sun at the final press conference for Saturday's rematch between Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson.

When asked about claims that Fury has an injury that may stop him from entering the ring, Warren did not hesitate.

"Nonsense, nonsense, absolute nonsense," he said.

He added: "He's doing well."

Then came the caveat.

"I haven't spoken to him for a week," Warren acknowledged.

The promoter said he does not plan to change that, even with the rumors swirling.

"I'll leave him alone, leave him in peace," Warren said.

"The last time I spoke to him, he just said I wish the fight were tomorrow. He's so up for it, he's so focused, and he wants it so badly."

The rumors originated with former heavyweight champion Frank Bruno.

Speaking on the podcast Fight Your Corner, Bruno said: "I looked at him the other day and I think someone was talking to me in the gym that he's got some injury, which may stop him from going into the fight with Anthony Joshua? And having that on your head ain't nice."

Bruno did not claim to have seen the injury himself.

He relayed what he said he was told by someone in a gym.

The fight is scheduled for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

It was announced in late September and will be broadcast on Netflix.

The all-British bout is the biggest heavyweight fight in years.

Fury holds the WBC heavyweight title.

Joshua is a former unified champion looking to reclaim his place at the top.

Both men are in camp training.

Neither camp has released any official medical update.

Warren's denial is the first public statement from Fury's team since Bruno's comments surfaced.

The promoter was also asked about Deontay Wilder being added to the undercard.

Wilder fought Fury in a trilogy of brutal fights.

Warren said Wilder's presence will not affect Fury's preparation.

"No, it won't affect Tyson whatsoever," he said.

Fury himself had a different take on Wilder's return.

Speaking to Michelle Joy Phelps on Behind The Mic, Fury said: "Silly really, for Deontay's part. He shouldn't be in a ring; he should be nowhere near a ring."

"It's a crying shame that this man has to continue to fight when he's shot to bits," Fury added.

"He never should have fought again after I beat him – the last time. That should have been the end of it. But… Needs must."

The undercard also features a cruiserweight fight between Jai Opetaia and a yet-to-be-named opponent.

Warren dismissed any suggestion that Fury is distracted by the undercard lineup.

Bruno, meanwhile, has also weighed in on the main event itself.

Writing in his new book "Bruno: Still Fighting," the former champion said the fight is "too close to call."

"Although I can't get in the ring myself anymore, I still get very excited about the big fights," Bruno wrote.

"Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury has all the makings of a classic."

"Who will win it? I reckon it's too close to call. Sorry to sit on the fence, but you could make a strong argument for either of them."

"Tyson is a very, very tricky character. But Anthony's no mug, and if he gets his head straight he could pull it off."

Bruno also said he would have backed himself against either man in his prime.

"People often ask me who I'd have fancied out of the two of them in a fight. Well, I never feared anybody," he wrote.

"If you'd put Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury in the opposite corner from me in my prime, I'd have backed myself. That's how you've got to think if you're going to become heavyweight champion of the world."

The fight marks the first time two British heavyweights have met for a world title in the modern era with both in their prime.

Bruno himself fought Lennox Lewis at the same venue in 1993.

That fight was also an all-British heavyweight showdown.