The long-anticipated showdown is confirmed for late 2026 after Joshua's comeback fight in July.
Category: Sports
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are officially set to meet in a highly anticipated heavyweight clash, with promoter Eddie Hearn declaring on social media, "Signed, sealed, delivered! AJ vs Fury is on!" The fight, which has been years in the making, is scheduled to take place in the fourth quarter of 2026 following Joshua's comeback bout against Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This matchup marks a culmination of a decade-long rivalry between two of Britain's most prominent boxing figures. Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, last fought in December 2025, where he secured a sixth-round knockout victory over YouTube star Jake Paul. He has since faced personal tragedy, surviving a car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of two close friends, which delayed his return to the ring.
Joshua's upcoming fight against Prenga, a 35-year-old Albanian boxer with a professional record of 20 wins and one loss, serves as a tune-up before facing Fury. Hearn indicated that Joshua's bout is part of a multi-fight deal, with the target for the Fury fight set for November 2026. "Biggest year of AJ's career coming up, the comeback is on," Hearn stated, emphasizing the significance of this period for Joshua.
Fury, who returned to the ring earlier this month with a unanimous points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov, had called out Joshua immediately after his win. In the aftermath of Fury's challenge, Joshua remained composed and refrained from a face-off, stating he would not engage until the fight was officially signed. Both fighters have faced setbacks in their careers, including losses to Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, who has since become a dominant force in the heavyweight division.
The rivalry between Joshua and Fury has been marked by numerous near-misses and aborted negotiations over the years. Their paths first crossed in 2015 when Fury became the heavyweight champion by defeating Wladimir Klitschko. Joshua turned professional in 2013 after winning Olympic gold in London and quickly ascended the ranks, capturing his first world title in 2016. At that time, Fury had stepped away from boxing, complicating any potential matchup.
In 2021, both fighters signed a deal to unify the heavyweight titles, but the agreement collapsed due to legal threats from Fury's rival, Deontay Wilder, who demanded a trilogy fight. Fury won that bout and went on to solidify his status as a top heavyweight. Meanwhile, Joshua's career took a hit when he lost to Usyk twice in 2021 and 2022, prompting a reevaluation of his approach to the sport.
After a lengthy hiatus, Joshua's return to boxing is being closely monitored, especially as he trains alongside Usyk in Ukraine. Usyk is optimistic about Joshua's prospects against Fury, stating, "AJ will beat Fury! I believe this because I’ve seen how Anthony is training. He’s a machine." This endorsement adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming bouts.
As Joshua prepares for his July 25 fight against Prenga, expectations are high for what lies ahead. If he emerges victorious, he will then turn his focus to Fury, a match that fans have long desired. The exact date and venue for the Fury fight remain unconfirmed, but there are hopes for another grand British stadium event, potentially at Wembley.
Fury's recent return to the ring has reinvigorated interest in the heavyweight division. Following his victory over Makhmudov, he expressed eagerness for the Joshua fight, stating, "Next, I want to give you the fight you've all been waiting for. Let’s get it on. It’s been 10 years in the making." His confidence and experience as a seasoned champion will be a formidable challenge for Joshua.
In the meantime, preparations for the Joshua-Prenga fight are underway, with Joshua emphasizing his readiness to reclaim his status in the boxing world. He remarked, "It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring, and today is the next step on thatjourney. I’m delighted to have agreed a multi-fight deal starting with July 25th in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia." As the boxing community gears up for these monumental events, the anticipation continues to build.
With the fight against Prenga just around the corner, Joshua's performance will be examined closely, paving the way for what many hope will be a legendary showdown with Fury later this year. The heavyweight division is on the brink of a thrilling chapter, and boxing fans are eager to witness the outcome of these long-awaited matchups.