Joshua Vs. Fury Edges Closer

Eddie Hearn revealed that negotiations for Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury have nearly concluded with a deal in sight. 

The deal would not be for a single bout, but a package funded by the Saudis. The deal covers both Joshua’s return to the ring this summer and the subsequent fight against Fury later this year. Joshua will return in July 2026 for a “tune-up” bout. Hearn admitted this fight is a necessity to get Joshua ready following his recovery from a serious car accident in Nigeria, where he lost two of his friends and his limited activity since defeating Jake Paul in December 2025. Provided Joshua clears the July hurdle, he will face Tyson Fury in November 2026.

Hearn Reacts

By signing a single agreement now, the terms for the Fury fight—including revenue splits and locations—are already in place before Joshua even steps into the ring in July. Following Fury’s April 11 win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Joshua personally told Hearn: “Make the fight.” While the fight is being funded by Riyadh Season, Hearn is publicly pushing for the November clash to take place in the United Kingdom, potentially at Wembley Stadium, to fulfill the domestic rivalry.

“This is an advanced situation now. Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, very, very advanced. We’re going backward and forwards on the contract. I think we’re getting very close now. AJ said to me, make the fight, and that’s what we’re trying to do. It won’t be one fight and then sign the other. We’re all in for both, and that’s what we’re planning to do,” Hearn said 

Is It Too Late?

The most glaring reason this fight feels overdue is the decline of both athletes. In their respective heydays—roughly 2017 to 2020—a clash between AJ and Fury would have been at its peak. By November 2026, Tyson Fury will be 38 years old, an age where heavyweights often rely more on guile than the twitch reflexes that made him “The Gypsy King.” Similarly, Joshua’s recent history is clouded by a serious car accident.

With Joshua coming off a win against Jake Paul—a fight that, while lucrative, did little to bolster his standing among serious contenders—the competitive prestige has dipped. The narrative has shifted from “Who is the best in the world?” to “Can these two veteran stars still deliver a spectacle?”