The much‑anticipated showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua remains on the calendar, even though the pop star Dua Lipa is no longer expected to perform at the event. Organisers have now turned their attention to finding a suitable replacement, and the hunt for a new musical act is already under way. Fury and Joshua, both former heavyweight world champions, have cultivated a long‑standing rivalry that has captured the imagination of British boxing fans for years.
The two are finally set to clash in what is being billed as an all‑British mega‑fight, a bout that could become the defining moment of the sport in the United Kingdom. Earlier reports from Sky Sports indicated that the Saudi financier Turki Al‑Alshikh, who is backing the fight, had stipulated that a high‑profile musical performance was a condition of his involvement. The original plan called for Dua Lipa, the Grammy‑winning singer who has previously performed at major sporting spectacles such as the 2018 UEFA Champions League final, to headline the entertainment segment.
However, sources now suggest that Dua Lipa has declined the invitation, leaving the promoters to secure an alternative act. The event’s producers have reiterated their commitment to featuring an "iconic UK act" on the night, and they have begun a focused search for a replacement that will match the stature of the original proposal.
Spencer Brown, Fury’s manager and the promoter who arranged the fight’s staging at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, told Sky Sports that British fans will quickly move past the change. \"We still want an iconic British artist to close the show. Names like Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams, the Manic Street Preachers, Sir Elton John or even Rod Stewart are all on the table,\" he said.
\"Ultimately the decision rests with Turki Al‑Alshikh and Netflix, because without their backing none of this would be possible.\" Brown added that any of those legends would be eager to step into the slot left vacant by Dua Lipa. \"It will be a night that celebrates British boxing at its highest level – a spectacular event that will go down in history,\" he said. \"We want to make sure the fight takes place on what will be the biggest night and the biggest fight British boxing has ever witnessed.\" The fight itself is being positioned as the biggest boxing event in British history. Both the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley have been floated as possible venues, underscoring the magnitude of the occasion.
While Dua Lipa headlined her own concert at Wembley last June, she has never performed at the Tottenham venue, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the potential line‑up. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that the Fury‑Joshua clash is slated for sometime before the end of 2026, although the exact date and location remain unconfirmed. Hearn declared the bout "signed, sealed, and delivered," signaling that the contractual pieces are in place. In the meantime, Joshua has already set his immediate return to the ring for July 25, when he will face Kristian Prenga.
That fight will serve as a final tune‑up before the heavyweight showdown, and it will also give Joshua a chance to demonstrate his readiness after a period of recovery. Both fighters have been on parallel trajectories for nearly a decade. Fury first captured the heavyweight world title by shocking Wladimir Klitschko ten years ago, while Joshua turned professional after winning Olympic gold in London 2012 and quickly rose through the ranks.
By the time Joshua claimed his first world championship belt in 2016, Fury had briefly stepped away from boxing, only to return later and defeat Deontay Wilder to claim the WBC title. The two champions were once on the verge of meeting in an undisputed heavyweight clash, but scheduling conflicts and other fights intervened.
Fury chose a third bout with Wilder, while Joshua suffered a loss to Oleksandr Usyk, who later also defeated Fury in a rematch, prompting Fury’s second retirement early last year. Fury’s recent victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in London earlier this month has reignited the excitement surrounding the bout. Joshua, meanwhile, has been rebuilding after a tragic accident that claimed the lives of two close friends and team members, leaving him to focus on his physical and mental recovery.
He is currently training alongside his former rival Usyk, who has publicly backed Joshua to prevail over Fury. With the July 25 fight against Prenga serving as Joshua’s last hurdle before the headline clash, the stage is set for a historic heavyweight contest that could redefine the sport’s landscape in the UK.
While the precise timing and stadium are still being finalized, the anticipation among fans, promoters, and broadcasters is already at a fever pitch. In summary, the Fury‑Joshua fight remains firmly on track despite the change in musical entertainment.
Organisers are actively scouting a new British music legend to fill the void left by Dua Lipa, ensuring that the night will still deliver a blend of world‑class sport and unforgettable performance. The bout promises to be a landmark event, potentially the most celebrated heavyweight showdown the United Kingdom has ever seen.