Boxing fans love dreaming about potential match-ups with their favourite contenders.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have been the centre of the ultimate dream scenario for the better part of a decade. While the rumour mill constantly churns out new dates and behind-the-scenes agreements, actually getting these two British giants into the ring together has proven to be an exercise in patience. We are now well into 2026, and the anticipation remains incredibly high. Fans are still holding out hope that this long-awaited heavyweight clash will finally become a reality.
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov in April
Before any mega-fight with Joshua can materialise, Fury has to focus entirely on his upcoming return to the ring. Scheduled for April, Fury is set to face Arslanbek Makhmudov in what promises to be a gruelling test. Following his back-to-back decision losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, the “Gypsy King” took a long break from the sport.
This return bout is far from a simple tune-up fight. Makhmudov brings a dangerous, aggressive knockout style that could derail Fury’s comeback tour before it even begins. A convincing victory would instantly propel Fury back into the conversation for major championship contests later in the year, keeping the dream of a Joshua showdown alive.
A crowded heavyweight division
Part of the reason Fury and Joshua haven’t squared off yet is the absolute logjam at the top of the heavyweight ranks. Oleksandr Usyk completely shifted the power dynamics when he overpowered Fury, and the Ukrainian champion now dictates much of the action. Usyk has openly discussed wanting a trilogy fight to cap off his career, which pushes any domestic super-fight further down the calendar.
Other rising contenders are constantly snapping at the heels of the champions, making it incredibly difficult for promoters to align schedules. Despite these logistical headaches, heavyweight boxing remains a massive global attraction. Promoters know exactly how to build anticipation, staging top-tier events everywhere from London to Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Fight weekends turn into massive cultural moments where fans spend hours analysing undercards, debating predictions, and checking out platforms like NetBet to see what offers might add a bit of extra entertainment to the evening.
Ultimately, this massive global demand means the funding for a Fury vs. Joshua bout is definitely there, but navigating the crowded title picture remains the biggest hurdle to finally getting them in the same ring this year.
Will Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua happen this year?
It is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Fans are desperately holding out hope that these two will finally meet in the ring before the end of 2026. However, anyone who has followed the sport closely knows there are far bigger hurdles than just boxing politics right now.
In late December 2025, Anthony Joshua survived a horrific car crash in Nigeria that tragically claimed the lives of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Surviving a devastating ordeal like that completely changes the landscape. While Joshua has recently been spotted back in the gym, his promoter Eddie Hearn has made it crystal clear that the former champion is still resting and recovering. Hearn noted that while a late summer return is a loose plan, a mega-fight with Fury is absolutely not next on the agenda.
More recently, Hearn has denied reports that an agreement is already in place for Fury vs Joshua, but did admit that conversations had taken place before Joshua’s accident. Even if we look past this crucial recovery period and assume both men eventually win their upcoming bouts, the bitter history of failed negotiations between their rival camps still hangs over the sport. We have seen this exact scenario play out countless times before.
Disagreements over purse splits, broadcasting rights, and venue scheduling have consistently derailed this mega-fight just when it seemed close. Combining the heartbreaking reality of Joshua’s current situation with the endless logistical nightmares that always plague finalised contracts, squeezing this clash into the 2026 calendar is going to take a minor miracle.
The ultimate British mega-fight
Despite the massive hurdles and the sobering reality of Joshua’s current situation, the appetite for this bout remains absolutely massive. A showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 screaming fans is the undisputed pinnacle of British boxing. It would transcend the sport entirely, capturing the attention of the entire country and generating astronomical revenue worldwide.
Fans are still clamouring for this fight because of the fascinating stylistic clash it presents. You have Fury’s elite boxing IQ and slick defensive movement going head-to-head with Joshua’s explosive athleticism and raw knockout power.
Both men are entering the twilight of their phenomenal careers, having already reached the absolute summit of the heavyweight division. Sharing the ring would be the ultimate final chapter for their respective legacies. While we might have to wait a little longer than 2026 to see them finally walk out under the arch, the dream is far from dead. Every time they step between the ropes from here on out will be a stepping stone towards what could easily be the biggest night in British boxing history.