Will Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Face Off? Key Details on the Battle of Britain Heavyweight Clash
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been linked in the boxing world for about ten years. Both are two-time heavyweight champions and among the biggest names in British sport today. Joshua is 36, Fury 37, and both have suffered two losses to Oleksandr Usyk, suggesting their careers may be past their peaks.
The heavyweight division is shifting. Usyk has given up his belts, leaving Daniel Dubois (WBO), Agit Kabayel (WBC), and Murat Gassiev (WBA) holding major titles. The IBF belt remains open. While these changes unfold, fans expect Joshua and Fury to prioritize facing each other rather than chasing new belts.
Upcoming Fights This Week
Joshua and Fury will fight different opponents this week but not each other. Fury faces Mariusz Wach, a veteran former world title challenger, in Thailand on Friday, July 24. Joshua fights Kristian Prenga, an Albanian known for knockouts but untested at the highest level, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, July 25.
For Joshua, this marks a return after injuries from a tragic car accident last December in Nigeria that claimed two of his team members. Fury recently came out of retirement with a decisive points win over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Wembley in April, after which he challenged Joshua in person.
Scheduled Joshua vs. Fury Showdown
If both win their upcoming bouts, they are set to meet on December 11, 2026, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Both fighters signed contracts facilitated by Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh to make the fight happen.
Promoter Eddie Hearn insisted the fight take place in the UK, while Alalshikh, co-founder of Zuffa Boxing (linked to Dana White's UFC), preferred the US. Ultimately, the UK location was secured.
Fury, currently WBC's No. 1 challenger to Kabayel, sees a clearer path to a title than Joshua does. During media appearances before his fight with Wach, Fury doubted Joshua would handle press conferences well, describing him as stiff and unlikely to face intense questioning alongside him.
Past Encounters and Tensions
Joshua and Fury have never fought professionally. Rumors of a 2010 amateur sparring session have grown over time. Fury recalled that session to BBC London, admitting Joshua "gave me a beating" and that he nearly got knocked out. Fury described Joshua as a promising young fighter even then.
Years later, Fury softened that account, stating Joshua was pulled out after three rounds. Joshua’s amateur coach Sean Murphy confirmed Fury wanted a fourth round but Joshua was withdrawn, noting Joshua had gained the upper hand in the third round.
After Fury’s recent win over Makhmudov, Joshua referenced their history while trading verbal jabs, saying he would "punch you up again." Their rivalry seems as heated as ever as they move closer to a long-awaited bout.
