Nigerian boxing fans, get ready! A long-awaited heavyweight showdown between British titans Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua might finally happen. Reports suggest that plans are being drafted for the two former champions to meet in 2026. This epic bout is pencilled in as the headline attraction for a Riyadh Season event.
The Road to Riyadh 2026
According to reports from The Ring, the fight is not yet official. However, the intention is clear. Before their potential clash, both boxers are expected to take separate fights in early 2026. These bouts would set the stage for their monumental encounter.
Anthony Joshua has an important fight scheduled much sooner. The former unified champion will face Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami. This eight-round contest will be broadcast globally on Netflix. The fight marks another high-profile step for Joshua as he aims to regain momentum in his career.
Paths to Redemption
A clash with Joshua would see the self-styled ‘Gypsy King,’ Tyson Fury, return from retirement once again. The towering 6-foot-9 heavyweight stepped away after suffering consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk is the reigning unified champion and former undisputed ruler of the division. He defeated Fury twice in 2024. His first victory made him the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Joshua, aged 36, is also seeking redemption. His last fight ended in a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. This result cast doubt over his future at the sport’s elite level. A showdown with Fury would offer significant financial reward. More importantly, it provides a chance for Joshua to redefine his legacy.
A Fight Years in the Making
For boxing fans, the frustration stems from how close this fight has been before. In 2021, Fury and Joshua were on the verge of meeting. That bout aimed to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion. However, those plans fell apart. Deontay Wilder exercised his rematch clause, forcing Fury into a third bout with the American. Meanwhile, Joshua was diverted towards Oleksandr Usyk.
What followed reshaped the entire heavyweight scene. Joshua lost a unanimous decision to Usyk. Fury, on the other hand, climbed off the canvas twice to stop Wilder in the 11th round of a brutal contest. Usyk later defeated Joshua again. He then went on to beat Fury twice, solidifying his place at the top of the division.
The potential 2026 fight between Fury and Joshua would represent a momentous occasion. It would finally deliver a contest that has been years in the making. It would also offer both fighters a chance at a career-defining moment in the desert kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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