TLDR:
- Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could fight in late summer 2026, according to promoter Frank Warren
- No contract has been signed yet, but Warren says talks are progressing in the right direction
- Joshua says the decision is up to Fury, stating he has signed to fight him multiple times before
- Fury retired in January 2025 after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024
- Joshua faces Jake Paul on December 19, 2025, in a fight worth approximately £140 million total
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could finally meet in the boxing ring in late summer 2026, according to Fury’s promoter Frank Warren. However, no contract has been signed yet between the two British heavyweight boxers.
Warren told Sky Sports News that talks are currently taking place between both camps.
“There’s been some talks going on, there’s nothing been signed yet, but Tyson’s indicated if it’s the right deal, he’ll definitely do it,” Warren said.
The promoter expressed confidence that the long-awaited fight will happen. “I think it’s going in the right direction and hopefully we’ll get some news pretty soon as to what’s going to happen. I do believe it will happen,” he added.
Fury announced his retirement from boxing in January 2025 after losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. The 37-year-old posted an Instagram video saying he had “loved every single minute” of his boxing career but was stepping away from the sport.
‼️ MASSIVE BREAKING NEWS ‼️
Sources have advised The Ring that a highly anticipated showdown between former heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will headline a Riyadh Season mega-event in 2026.
Before that collision happens, The Ring has also learned that Fury… pic.twitter.com/Iwgfs9NNLL
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) December 12, 2025
Joshua Says He Won’t Hold Up The Fight
Anthony Joshua responded to the fight speculation by placing responsibility for the decision on Fury. “It’s up to Fury. I’ve signed to fight him a number of times,” Joshua told Reuters.
Joshua said he doesn’t want to get his hopes up again about the potential matchup. “I don’t want to get my hopes up and be let down again,” he explained.
The two heavyweight champions have been expected to face each other for years, but various circumstances have prevented the fight from happening. Both fighters have been at the top of the heavyweight division throughout much of their careers.
Warren suggested that Fury might have a warm-up fight before facing Joshua.
“Tyson’s been out for a while now. He may have a warm-up fight but if this fight happens – which I believe it will – it will be sometime in late summer,” the promoter said.
Joshua Faces Jake Paul First
Before any potential Fury fight can happen, Joshua must first face Jake Paul. The match is scheduled for December 19, 2025, and will be streamed on Netflix.
The fight between Joshua and Paul is sanctioned as an eight-round bout with 10-ounce gloves. Reports indicate the total purse will be around £140 million, split equally between both fighters at approximately £70 million each.
Paul has said he wants to fight Fury himself after the Joshua bout. During a pre-fight press conference, the YouTuber-turned-boxer stated: “I’m knocking this guy out, becoming the CEO of Matchroom Boxing and changing the plans. Then it’s going to be me vs Tyson Fury next year.”
Joshua revealed he has been training with Team Usyk in Spain for the past couple of months. “London’s a bit distracting for me, so I was invited to train by Team Usyk,” Joshua explained at a press conference.
Joshua clarified that he is not sparring with Usyk directly, as the champion is training elsewhere. “He’s training somewhere else at the minute. He’s been in camp, but he’s in and out of camp,” Joshua said.
Warren indicated that if the Fury-Joshua fight does happen in late summer 2026, that would be about seven months away. This timeline would give Fury time to prepare after his extended break from boxing.
