In a significant development for boxing fans, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are reportedly in talks for a fight this year. This matchup could be pivotal for both fighters, who have faced challenges in their recent bouts.
Joshua’s last outing was against Jake Paul in December 2025—a surprising contest that ended with Joshua on the losing side. Prior to that, he suffered a defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Meanwhile, Fury returned to the ring after a 16-month hiatus, securing a decision victory against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
As discussions progress, Joshua is planning a warm-up fight before facing Fury—potentially against Makhmudov, who stands at 6’6”, just three inches shorter than Fury’s towering 6’9” frame. This preparation is crucial; Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has already received a contract for the highly anticipated clash.
David Haye has been vocal about the necessity of this fight for both boxers’ legacies. “That’s the biggest fight they could both possibly have,” he remarked, emphasizing that they should be pressing for it. Yet, not everyone shares this sentiment. Dillian Whyte criticized Joshua for hesitating to accept Fury’s challenge, stating bluntly, “AJ should have said yeah.”
Both fighters are now considered past their peak—an observation echoed by Haye. But does that diminish the allure of their potential encounter? Not necessarily. Fans recall how Mayweather and Pacquiao only fought at their commercial zenith rather than their prime.
Amid these discussions, Makhmudov has reached out to Joshua regarding a possible bout in November in Riyadh—a location that could host this monumental event if all goes according to plan. Still, details remain unconfirmed.
As anticipation builds around these fight plans, it’s clear that both Joshua and Fury have much at stake—not just titles but also their standing in boxing history.