Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are officially slated to clash in what has been billed as a heavyweight blockbuster later this year. The two British heavyweights, whose rivalry has simmered for nearly a decade, will finally meet after a series of promotional moves, contractual sign‑offs and a series of tune‑up fights designed to get both men back into peak condition.
The road to the showdown begins with Joshua’s scheduled comeback bout on July 25, when he will face the relatively unknown Kristian Prenga. This fight is intended to serve as a springboard, allowing Joshua to shake off any rust and demonstrate that he remains a force to be reckoned with after a difficult period marked by personal tragedy and injury.
Once the Prenga fight is complete, the focus will shift entirely to the much‑anticipated clash with Fury. Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, took to social media to confirm the deal, writing, “Signed, sealed and delivered!
AJ vs Fury is on!” He added that this matchup represents "the biggest piece of business we've ever done but more importantly the one we've always wanted." Hearn also hinted that the upcoming year could be the most significant of Joshua’s career, emphasizing the importance of a successful comeback before the marquee bout. Fury, for his part, has been equally vocal.
After securing a points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this month, he publicly called out Joshua and announced that he had signed his portion of the agreement for the all‑British mega‑fight. Ring Magazine corroborated the news, describing the encounter as a "done deal" slated for the fourth quarter of 2026, though other sources suggest the fight could happen earlier, potentially in late 2025, depending on how quickly both fighters complete their preparatory bouts. The historical context behind this matchup adds layers of intrigue.
Fury first captured the heavyweight crown a decade ago when he shocked the world by defeating Wladimir Klitschko. Joshua, meanwhile, burst onto the professional scene after winning Olympic gold in London 2012, quickly amassing a string of victories that earned him the unified IBF, WBO and WBA titles by 2016. At that point, Fury had stepped away from the sport, only to return later and claim the WBC title after a high‑profile victory over Deontay Wilder.
The two champions have long been linked in the public imagination as the potential unifiers of the heavyweight division. However, a series of setbacks prevented the fight from materialising earlier. Fury chose a third bout with Wilder, while Joshua suffered a defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk, who later also bested Fury and forced the latter into a brief retirement at the start of last year. In recent weeks, Fury’s win over Makhmudov has reignited the conversation, and Joshua has been working diligently to return to full training.
The British star has endured a tragic accident that claimed the lives of two close teammates, a loss that has weighed heavily on him both emotionally and physically. Nevertheless, he has resumed camp, even collaborating with his former rival Usyk, who has publicly backed Joshua’s chances against Fury. The final hurdle before the headline bout is Joshua’s July 25 fight against Prenga.
Assuming a successful performance, the next step will be a series of negotiations to lock down a venue and date. While the exact location remains undecided, industry insiders anticipate a major British stadium—perhaps Wembley or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium—given the massive domestic interest.
Sky Sports boxing analyst Andy Scott weighed in on the situation, stating, "If you look at each piece of this deal, everyone is saying the same thing: Anthony Joshua will fight Tyson Fury this year." He cited confirmation from Spencer Brown of Gold Star Promotions, who represents Fury, and reiterated that both camps have agreed in principle. Scott also mentioned a surprising detail: promoter Turki may have requested that pop star Dua Lipa perform at the event, a suggestion that adds a pop‑culture twist to the already high‑profile fight. In summary, the path to the Joshua‑Fury showdown involves: 1.
Joshua’s comeback bout on July 25 against Kristian Prenga. 2. Finalizing contractual details, including venue, date and ancillary entertainment. 3.
Both fighters completing any remaining mandatory medicals and training camps. 4.
The promotional rollout, which is expected to be one of the biggest marketing pushes in British boxing history. If everything proceeds as planned, the UK will witness a historic heavyweight clash that could finally unify the division’s major belts and deliver a long‑awaited payoff for fans who have followed this rivalry for years. The anticipation is palpable, and the boxing world is watching closely as the final pieces fall into place.