A long-discussed heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is edging closer to reality, with both camps now openly pointing towards a blockbuster all-British clash in 2026 - provided the financial terms meet expectations.
Speculation around the bout intensified earlier this month when reports suggested Fury was preparing to end his self-imposed exile from boxing for a fight that has defined an era without ever taking place.
The rivalry between the two has simmered for nearly a decade, fuelled by contrasting personalities, divided fanbases and repeated near-misses at the negotiating table.
Fury, now 37, announced his retirement in January after consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, but has consistently hinted that the right opportunity could draw him back into the ring.
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According to his promoter Frank Warren, money remains the decisive factor.
“What will encourage Tyson is the financial aspect of it,” Warren told Sky Sports.
“I believe he’s got the beating of AJ, as does Tyson and the team. It’s all about the value of the fight. It’s a big fight and it’s worth a lot of money. Tyson has his price. If he gets his price, he’ll be in there to fight him.”
Anthony Joshua's knockout punch on Jake Paul has quickly gone viral | REUTERSWarren was equally blunt about logistics.
He added: “Money will dictate where the fight takes place, it’s as simple as that. They will go where the money is… They’re professional fighters, they go in the ring and take punches for money. They’re no different to any other sportsmen.”
Joshua, meanwhile, took a significant step towards keeping his side of the bargain last Friday night in Miami, returning to the ring against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
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Five facts about boxing that fans might not know | GBNEWS/PAThe bout marked Joshua’s first appearance since a punishing fifth-round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, a loss that had cast doubt over his long-term future at the elite level.
The contest itself was far from a classic, but Joshua ultimately stopped Paul in the sixth round, having dropped him twice in the previous round.
Moments later, microphone in hand, the former two-time heavyweight champion issued a direct challenge to Fury.
“If Tyson Fury is as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves… Step in the ring with me next if you are a real bad boy,” Joshua said.
“Don’t do all of that talking ‘AJ this, AJ that.’ Let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.”
Despite the victory, Warren said Joshua’s performance only strengthened his belief that Fury would prevail.
Tyson Fury retired from boxing back in January | REUTERS“The version I saw in his last fight, I would fancy Tyson even more,” he said.
“There’s a few times that he got caught by Jake Paul… He was just too small. Tyson will knock him out. I know he’ll knock him out.”
Adding further intrigue, British boxing great Lennox Lewis suggested during commentary that the wheels are already in motion.
“It’s the fight we are waiting for,” Lewis said. “Both are talking about it, the fight has been signed… Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, one of the biggest fights in British history, it is going to happen.”