Eddie Hearn has disclosed that Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh is actively pursuing Tyson Fury to return from retirement one more time for a blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua in summer 2026.
The Matchroom promoter shared this revelation following extensive discussions in Riyadh with Alalshikh, who heads Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority and Riyadh Season.
"He wants to make AJ against Fury, that's no secret," Hearn told Ring Magazine about Alalshikh's ambitions.
The Saudi chief is now tasked with convincing Fury to return to the ring, while Hearn focuses on finalising Joshua's side of what would be British boxing's most anticipated heavyweight clash.
Eddie Hearn has disclosed that Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh is actively pursuing Tyson Fury to return from retirement one more time for a blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua in summer 2026
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The Riyadh talks marked a significant shift in how negotiations will unfold, with Alalshikh serving as the central figure coordinating both camps.
"The best thing about these situations now is that it's not me speaking to Frank Warren or Spencer Brown or Tyson Fury trying to do a deal," Hearn explained.
Instead, Matchroom will settle their terms with Alalshikh, who'll then work independently to secure Fury's participation.
Eddie Hearn believes Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury is the biggest fight in boxing at the moment
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“He wants to make the biggest fights in the sport and that is the biggest fight in boxing right now," Hearn said.
"We just have to do our deal and if Turki can make the fight then it's on. If he can't, it's not on."
This streamlined approach removes the traditional promotional barriers that have previously complicated negotiations between the rival camps.
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Joshua hasn't competed since Daniel Dubois stopped him in September 2024, but he's already preparing for his ring return.
"AJ is in a great place. When I get that phone call to say, 'Come see me, I'm ready,' he's ready. He's in camp now to fight," Hearn revealed.
"We have a plan for AJ to get him back in the ring as soon as possible and then lead up to a huge fight against Tyson Fury in 2026.
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| PA"We will do our deal with Turki and he will try and do his deal with Tyson Fury. Fingers crossed we can make it happen.”
The former two-time world champion is targeting a comeback bout before 2025 ends, with Hearn confirming Joshua is entering the intensive phase of preparation.
"We'd like him to return this year," Hearn added.
Fury announced his retirement in January after suffering consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, yet the unpredictable heavyweight has been hinting at a 2026 comeback.
His promoter Frank Warren recently confirmed Fury's intentions, telling DAZN: "I spoke to him last week; he said that he's going to come back and fight next year. He wants to do it."
Warren noted that whilst Fury hasn't fought this year, he's been busy with Netflix documentaries and other projects.
"He's told me categorically - he wants to fight next year. So, we'll sit down and see," Warren added.
If Alalshikh successfully negotiates Fury's return and Joshua wins his comeback bout, Britain's long-awaited heavyweight spectacular could finally materialise.