Tyson Fury’s much‑anticipated showdown with Anthony Joshua remains on the schedule, even though pop star Dua Lipa is no longer expected to take the stage. The two former heavyweight champions have been locked in a rivalry that stretches back years, and the prospect of an all‑British mega‑bout finally looks set to materialise. Earlier reports from Sky Sports indicated that Saudi businessman Turki Al‑Alshikh, the financier behind the event, had insisted on securing a performance from Dua Lipa as part of the entertainment package.
While the singer’s management has now signalled that she is unlikely to accept the invitation, the fight itself will not be derailed. Organisers are already scouting for a new headline act, aiming to land an "iconic UK performer" who can match the scale of the occasion. Spencer Brown, Fury’s manager and the promoter who helped land the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a potential venue, told Sky Sports that British fans will quickly move past the disappointment.
"We still want an iconic British act on the card – someone like Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams, the Manic Street Preachers, Elton John or even Rod Stewart – but the final decision rests with Turki Al‑Alshikh and Netflix, because without their backing none of this would happen," he explained. The promoter’s optimism reflects a broader confidence that a replacement artist will step up. "One of those legends will be thrilled to fill her place.
This will be an iconic night for British boxing, a spectacular show," Brown added. He urged fans to stay focused on the fight, which is shaping up to be the biggest night in the sport’s UK history. Dua Lipa is no stranger to high‑profile sporting events – she performed at the 2018 Champions League final’s opening ceremony – and her involvement would have added a global pop‑culture flair to the bout.
However, the fight itself already carries massive weight. The showdown, often billed as the biggest heavyweight clash ever staged on British soil, could take place at either the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or Wembley, two venues that have hosted historic sporting spectacles.
Fury and Joshua have each carved out impressive legacies. Fury shocked the world a decade ago by dethroning Wladimir Klitschko, while Joshua turned professional after winning Olympic gold in London 2012 and quickly amassed a series of titles.
By the time Joshua captured his first world belt in 2016, Fury had briefly stepped away from boxing, only to return later and defeat Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown. The two fighters have flirted with an undisputed heavyweight showdown for years, but circumstances kept them apart. Fury chose a third bout with Wilder, and Joshua suffered a loss to Oleksandr Usyk, who later also bested Fury in a surprise upset before Fury retired again early last year.
Recent developments suggest the fight is finally moving forward. After a recent victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in London, Fury is back in training, while Joshua is preparing for a July 25 bout against Kristian Prenga – his first official return after a tragic accident that claimed the lives of two close teammates and left him nursing serious injuries. Joshua is currently training alongside his former rival Usyk, who has publicly backed him to overcome Fury.
With the Prenga fight acting as a final tune‑up, the stage is set for the two British titans to finally clash. Although the exact date and venue remain unconfirmed, promoter Eddie Hearn has already declared the matchup "signed, sealed, and delivered," and insiders expect an announcement before the end of 2026. Fans can look forward to a night that blends sport and entertainment, even without Dua Lipa.
The search for a replacement act continues, with names like Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams, the Manic Street Preachers, Elton John and Rod Stewart being floated as possibilities. Whatever the final choice, the emphasis remains on delivering a historic boxing event that showcases the best of British talent, both in the ring and on the stage. In the meantime, boxing enthusiasts are encouraged to follow the upcoming fight schedule, stream matches via NOW, and tune into the weekly Toe2Toe podcast for expert analysis. The anticipation builds as the UK prepares for what many are calling the most richly anticipated heavyweight bout the nation has ever witnessed.