Anthony Joshua has already secured a contract for what is expected to become a historic showdown with Tyson Fury, yet his team is also weighing the possibility of a preparatory bout in July before the much‑anticipated clash later in the year. The heavyweight champion’s camp, led by promoter Eddie Hearn, confirmed that while the Fury agreement is in place, a July fight could serve as a valuable tune‑up, allowing Joshua to regain full fitness after a harrowing car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele in December. Fury, who recently posted a fresh challenge to Joshua following his points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, has also signed the contract for the all‑British mega‑event. However, Joshua has not yet given a definitive answer on the November date, prompting speculation that a July bout might be scheduled to keep him active and sharpen his skills.
During a Sky Sports interview, Hearn clarified the situation: "I don’t know if Fury has signed or not, that’s his business. If he has, great. We received the contract last week and are reviewing it.
Obviously there’s been a lot happening in AJ’s life and we want to make sure he’s ready to return to the ring. He’s about to get the all‑clear on the physical side and that’s great news." Hearn went on to outline the timeline: the original plan had been a March fight followed by a Fury showdown in August, but the tragic accident forced a reshuffle. "We now have July and November on the table and we expect to move forward with those dates," he said.
The July fight could serve as a stepping stone, offering Joshua a chance to test his conditioning and timing after months of rehabilitation. One name that has surfaced as a potential opponent is Deontay Wilder.
After Wilder’s win over Derek Chisora, he expressed enthusiasm about a possible clash with the two‑time world champion. Hearn indicated that his team is exploring a back‑to‑back scenario: a July bout against Wilder, followed by the marquee fight with Fury in November. "It’s very likely we’ll have a tune‑up fight.
Given what happened, we were supposed to be doing that anyway," Hearn explained. He added that Fury himself recently completed a 12‑round tune‑up, which helped sharpen his form ahead of the next big challenge. "We expect to do the same with AJ.
Wilder would be a separate deal, but we’re willing to fight Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury back‑to‑back if the opportunity arises," Hearn said. The promoter emphasized that a warm‑up fight would not be a sign of disrespect toward Wilder; rather, it would be a pragmatic step to ensure Joshua enters the Fury fight in optimal condition.
"I’m not being disrespectful that Wilder is a warm‑up fight, but AJ is comfortable taking that fight next," Hearn noted. He also acknowledged the commercial stakes: Netflix, broadcasters, and global fans are all invested in a clean, high‑profile showdown between the two British heavyweights. While Hearn’s camp appears eager to lock in the July bout, Wilder’s side has not confirmed any negotiations.
Co‑manager Shelly Finkel told Sky Sports that the proposal is new to him and that he would like to discuss it directly with Hearn before making any statements. "This is all new to me. I would like to speak with Eddie to see what he is thinking before I say anything," Finkel said.
The prospect of a July fight raises several strategic considerations. First, it offers Joshua a chance to gauge his stamina and adjust to the rigors of full‑scale training after a period of limited activity. Second, it provides a platform to generate additional revenue and maintain public interest ahead of the November headline event. Finally, a successful warm‑up could boost Joshua’s confidence, allowing him to approach the Fury fight with a clear mind and sharpened skills.
From a boxing‑industry perspective, a back‑to‑back arrangement with Wilder and Fury would be unprecedented. It would place Joshua in a position to face two of the most powerful heavyweights in rapid succession, a scenario that could reshape the heavyweight hierarchy. Critics argue that such a schedule could be overly taxing, but Hearn counters that modern training methods and careful fight planning can mitigate risk.
In summary, the current roadmap for Anthony Joshua involves confirming his contract with Tyson Fury while simultaneously arranging a preparatory bout—most likely in July—potentially against Deontay Wilder. This approach aims to balance the need for physical readiness, commercial viability, and the overarching goal of delivering a blockbuster British heavyweight clash in November.
The next few weeks will be crucial as negotiations progress, medical clearances are finalized, and the boxing world watches closely for official announcements.