December 16, 2025 — The biggest fight in British boxing history is finally on the horizon. Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, the two defining heavyweights of their generation, have a concrete plan to finally meet in the ring in 2026, promoters and multiple sources have confirmed to NewsFocus.
A fight that has been mooted, negotiated, and fallen apart for nearly half a decade is now being actively lined up to headline a major Riyadh Season event in the latter half of 2026.
“Tyson’s indicated if it’s the right deal, he’ll definitely do it,” Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions, told Sky Sports News. “I do believe it will happen… sometime in late summer.”
This agreement follows a familiar pattern of failed negotiations, most notably in 2021 and 2022, when last-minute complications and contractual disputes left fans disappointed. This time, however, confidence is high, with the powerful backing of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority Chairman, Turki Alalshikh, who is credited with making the deal.
Hurdles on the Path to the Ring
Despite the advanced planning, the blockbuster fight is not yet a certainty, with both fighters facing significant tests before they can face each other.
· Coming Out of Retirement: Tyson Fury, 37, announced his retirement after two consecutive losses to the undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk, in 2024. He has since posted a cryptic message hinting at a return: “The king must return to his throne… after the long and hard battles awaits immortality!” Promoter Frank Warren confirmed Fury is “in the gym full-time training very hard.”
· Mandatory Warm-Up Fights: A key stipulation of the 2026 plan is that both Fury and Joshua must first win separate bouts in early 2026. This strategy is not without risk, as a shock loss for either man could derail the entire event.
Potential Warm-Up Opponents
Media reports have begun speculating on who could share the ring with the British stars before their clash.
For Tyson Fury
· Arslanbek Makhmudov: A heavy-handed Russian (21-2, 19 KOs) reportedly in consideration.
· Zhilei Zhang: A dangerous Chinese veteran who would provide a stern test.
· Martin Bakole: A credible heavyweight who has previously sparred with Fury.
For Anthony Joshua
· Deontay Wilder: A long-discussed mega-fight that never materialized.
· Martin Bakole: Also linked to Joshua, potentially in Nigeria.
· Derek Chisora: A domestic battle that would draw a huge UK crowd.
· Joshua’s Immediate Test: Before any 2026 plans, Anthony Joshua, 36, must first return to the ring this week against YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami. Following a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, Joshua admits he needed a “reset.” A loss to Paul, while considered highly unlikely by experts, would undoubtedly jeopardize the Fury superfight.
A Legacy Fight Beyond Belts
Originally conceived as a clash for the undisputed heavyweight championship, the 2026 iteration will have no world titles on the line. Instead, it represents a pure legacy fight to settle a historic British rivalry and determine the second-best heavyweight of the era behind Usyk.
“The fans have been asking for this, and everybody has been talking about it, for years and years and years,” said Frank Warren. “It’s better that if it’s going to happen it happens now.”
For both fighters, the financial incentive is monumental. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, stated that Alalshikh is “probably the only one who can make the Tyson Fury fight because both guys are going to want a huge amount of money.”
The Long Road to Agreement
The journey to this point has been fraught with false starts:
· 2021: A deal was nearly finalized for an undisputed title fight, but was scuppered when Deontay Wilder exercised a rematch clause against Fury.
· September 2022: Fury publicly called out Joshua and set a deadline to sign a contract. When it passed unsigned, Fury declared the fight “officially over.”
Now, with a clear path and powerful financial backing, the boxing world is holding its breath, hoping the third time is the charm for a fight that has been over half a decade in the making.
