Fury and Joshua secure wins ahead of proposed heavyweight clash

By Emeka Nwosu — 26 July 2026 — 4 min read

Heavyweight Victories Pave Way for Showdown

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua both secured victories in their recent fights, maintaining their trajectory towards a highly anticipated heavyweight bout. The proposed all-British showdown has seen contracts signed, with a target date set for November. However, specific details regarding the exact date and venue are yet to be announced.

The path to this potential fight has been long, marked by previous negotiations that did not result in a match. A fight was initially announced for August 2021 in Saudi Arabia, and terms were accepted again for December 2022, but neither materialized. This past weekend’s fights were seen as critical steps to ensure the long-awaited contest finally takes place.

Warm-Up Bouts and Their Outcomes

Tyson Fury, aged 37, achieved a seventh-round TKO victory over Mariusz Wach at the Max Muay Thai Stadium in Thailand on Friday. The fight, which was not televised, took place in front of approximately 1,500 spectators in Pattaya. This marked Fury’s second fight since his latest retirement, following a points win against Arslanbek Makhmudov in April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Anthony Joshua’s fight in Jeddah proved to be more dramatic. He was knocked down twice in the first round by Kristian Prenga before ultimately securing a knockout victory in the second round. This was Joshua’s first fight since a car crash in December that resulted in the deaths of his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, and his first outing since defeating Jake Paul last December.

Joshua dedicated his win to his late friends, emphasizing that the victory was about more than just punch power, but also spirit. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, suggested that boxing has been a saving force for Joshua, similar to when he first took up the sport at 19 years old.

Venue and Contractual Discussions

The location for the fight remains undecided. Turki Alalshikh, the fight’s promoter, has expressed a desire for the event to cater to a global audience and has indicated he would discuss a later start time with London authorities. However, it was revealed that Brent Council had not yet been contacted regarding an extension to Wembley Stadium’s usual 11pm curfew.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, stated that the USA is now Alalshikh’s preferred venue, despite the current signed contracts stipulating that the fight must be held in the UK. Hearn emphasized that any change to the contract would require renegotiation. Possible venues mentioned include Wembley, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Las Vegas, and New York, while Croke Park appears not to be an option.

Spencer Brown, Fury’s manager, noted that Turki Alalshikh and Netflix would make the final decisions on the venue. Both parties are reportedly keen on the fight, suggesting there will be some adjustments before a final decision is made. Fury himself has mentioned various locations as possibilities, including Vegas, New York, Ireland, London, Belfast, and Pattaya.

Fighter Statements and Expert Opinions

Following his win against Prenga, Anthony Joshua stated, “I am going to rip his heart out,” while also expressing respect for Fury’s achievements. He hopes the fans will experience a “lovely treat.” Joshua has consistently maintained that his contract specifies the fight must be in the UK.

Tyson Fury, after his victory over Wach, questioned Joshua’s courage, referencing Joshua’s decision not to enter the ring after Fury’s fight against Makhmudov in front of 70,000 people at Tottenham. Despite his concerns, Fury expressed hope that the fight would be signed soon, with his management aiming for an announcement within the next two weeks.

Boxing experts have weighed in on the potential outcome. Former middleweight world title contender Matthew Macklin views Tyson Fury as the clear favorite, believing Fury’s style and assets age better. Macklin suggested that Joshua’s punch resistance and reflexes may have diminished. Conversely, Johnny Nelson, a former WBO Cruiserweight champion, described Joshua as “mercurial,” acknowledging his talent but also pointing out “rookie mistakes” in his recent performance. Nelson leans towards Fury’s fluidity and boxing ability, though he credits Joshua with heart, determination, and desire.

Next Steps for the Heavyweight Clash

The primary outstanding information is the announcement of the precise date and venue. Given the November target, confirmation is anticipated within weeks. Historically, tickets for Joshua’s fights have gone on sale approximately three months before the event. The plan, assuming both fighters emerged unscathed from their recent bouts, was to hold a joint press conference to formally announce the fight.

However, Fury’s reluctance to share a stage has been noted. The two heavyweights have only shared a ring once before, during a sparring session in 2010 when Fury was a 21-year-old prospect and Joshua was a 20-year-old amateur.

Source: skysports.com