Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: What to Expect from the Battle of Britain Heavyweight Fight

For nearly ten years, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have circled each other in the heavyweight boxing scene. Both are two-time world champions and giants of British boxing today.

Joshua is 36, Fury is 37, and both have suffered two defeats at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk. Their careers seem to be winding down, but interest remains high as they return to the ring amid changes in the heavyweight division.

With Usyk stepping away from his belts, the titles are split among Daniel Dubois (WBO), Agit Kabayel (WBC), and Murat Gassiev (WBA), while the IBF belt is still available. Fans want these stars to face each other instead of chasing fragmented titles.

Are Joshua and Fury Fighting This Week?

No, the two won’t meet in the ring this week, though both have scheduled fights.

• Tyson Fury fights Mariusz Wach, a seasoned former world title challenger, over 10 rounds in Thailand on Friday, July 24.
• Anthony Joshua faces Kristian Prenga, an Albanian known for knockouts but with limited top-level experience, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, July 25.

This will be Joshua’s first fight since a serious car crash last December that claimed two of his team members’ lives and left him injured. The accident happened while they were vacationing in Nigeria, where Joshua has family ties, following his win over Jake Paul in Miami.

Fury came out of retirement earlier this year, winning decisively on points against Arslanbek Makhmudov in April at Wembley. After that victory, Fury publicly called out Joshua.

When Will Joshua and Fury Finally Face Off?

Assuming both win their upcoming bouts, the long-anticipated fight between Joshua and Fury is scheduled for December 11, 2026, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Both fighters signed contracts with Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh to bring the fight together, though there were some negotiations over location. Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn insisted the fight take place in the UK, while Alalshikh, linked to UFC’s Dana White, initially preferred the US.

In the end, the fight will happen in Wales.

Fury, ranked number one challenger for the WBC title held by Kabayel, noted a clearer path to a title for himself compared to Joshua. Speaking before his fight with Wach, Fury expressed doubts about Joshua facing him in a press conference setting, implying Joshua avoids direct confrontation publicly. Despite this tension, they settled on the December date.

Have Joshua and Fury Ever Fought Before?

They have never faced each other professionally, but a sparring session back in 2010 has become part of their story.

Tyson Fury recalled in an interview how the young amateur Joshua gave him a tough time during three rounds. Fury said, “If I’d have had a bit of a weak chin, I’d have been knocked out for a month.” He praised Joshua as a promising prospect back then.

Years later, Fury adjusted his story, claiming Joshua was pulled from the spar after three rounds. Joshua’s amateur coach, Sean Murphy, confirmed Fury was indeed struggling by the third round and that Joshua got the better of it. Fury wanted a fourth round, but Murphy stopped it.

Joshua referenced this sparring when trading insults with Fury after the latter’s win over Makhmudov, saying, “I punched you up when we were kids and, after watching you tonight, I'll punch you up again.”