British heavyweight rivals finally close to long-awaited mega-fight after years of near misses.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury

The long-anticipated Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua showdown is finally edging closer to reality, with plans in place for the blockbuster bout to headline a Riyadh Season card in 2026. According to The Ring, the two former heavyweight champions are expected to fight in separate bouts in early 2026, clearing the path for what would be one of the biggest fights in boxing history.

Before that, Anthony Joshua is scheduled to face social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami, in an eight-round bout set to stream on Netflix. Joshua, 36, is looking to bounce back after a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, while Fury would be returning from retirement once again following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, the current unified and former undisputed heavyweight champion.

The fight has been years in the making. In 2021, Joshua and Fury were on the brink of clashing for the undisputed heavyweight title, only for Deontay Wilder to activate a rematch clause that forced Fury into a trilogy. Joshua, meanwhile, went on to lose twice to Usyk. Since then, Usyk has beaten both men, including two victories over Fury in 2024, cementing his place at the top of the division.

Even without world titles at stake, Fury vs Joshua remains one of the most lucrative and compelling matchups in boxing. If the two finally meet in 2026, it would close the chapter on one of the sport’s longest-running sagas. If not, it risks being remembered as one of boxing’s greatest missed opportunities.