Former world heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are set to finally meet in a long-anticipated showdown after promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that a deal has been signed.
Hearn announced on Monday that the bout between the two British rivals is now “signed, sealed and delivered,” ending years of stalled negotiations and missed opportunities.
The fight, widely regarded as one of the biggest in modern boxing, is expected to take place later this year, although no official date or venue has been confirmed.
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Before facing Fury, Joshua will return to the ring against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25. The 36-year-old Briton has been out of action since December following a car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two members of his team.
Joshua described his return as a crucial step in his recovery and preparation for the high-profile clash.
“It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to rebuild and get ready for stepping back into the ring,” he said. “Today marks the next step on that journey.”
The two-time world champion will need to overcome Prenga, who holds a record of 20 wins—mostly by knockout—and one defeat, in what is being viewed as a tune-up fight ahead of the Fury showdown.
Joshua and Fury have dominated the heavyweight division for over a decade, yet a fight between them has repeatedly failed to materialise despite strong public demand. Fury, 37, recently returned to action with a comfortable win over Arslanbek Makhmudov and used the opportunity to call out Joshua.
Although Joshua was present ringside, he declined to engage in a post-fight confrontation. However, both camps have since indicated that contractual agreements are now in place.
The proposed fight could take place in November, with venues in the United Kingdom such as Wembley Stadium or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium considered likely options, though international hosting remains possible.
Joshua, who has 29 wins and four losses, has not defeated a top-tier heavyweight since 2023. Fury, boasting 35 wins, two defeats, and one draw, remains one of the most prominent figures in the division.
If both fighters come through their interim bouts unscathed, the long-awaited clash is poised to become one of the defining events in British boxing history.
