Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Joshua and Fury have been signed for a heavyweight boxing showdown later this year.
Published April 27, 2026
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have signed up for a highly anticipated matchup later this year, promoter Eddie Hearn announced on Monday.
“Signed, sealed and delivered! AJ vs. Fury is happening!” Hearn posted on Instagram. The announcement comes after it was confirmed that Joshua will return to the ring against Christian Prengga in Riyadh on July 25, the Briton’s first fight since losing two close friends in a car accident last December.
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Prengga, 35, a U.S.-based Albanian, is a former kickboxer with a 20-1 record in the ring since turning professional in 2016.
The match, dubbed “The Comeback,” was announced by Turki Alalcik, chairman of the Saudi Arabian Entertainment Authority, and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
Turki also posted a message on X that read, “To our friends in the UK – it’s happening. It’s signed,” and his Ring magazine said the fight would happen on Netflix in the fourth quarter of 2026.
“The battle everyone has been waiting for”
Joshua, 36, has a record of 28 wins and 4 losses, with his most recent fight being a sixth round knockout of American Jake Paul on December 19 in Miami, Florida, USA.
“It’s no secret, I’ve taken the time to strengthen and rebuild to be ready to get back in the ring, and today is the next step in that journey,” Joshua said.
“I am happy to have agreed to a multi-fight deal starting July 25 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I look forward to playing and picking up where I left off. My landlord will collect my rent, that’s for sure.”
Hearn told Sky Sports television that he would like to have a “warm-up fight” in July before potentially facing Fury in November.
“The two dates that are currently being presented to us are July and November, and we plan to move forward,” he said. “Fury just had a very important 12-round tune-up fight to get sharp for his next fight and we expect him to do the same.”
Fury called for a showdown with Joshua on April 11 after Joshua defeated Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov.
“Next up, let’s do the fight that everyone has been waiting for, AJ, Anthony Joshua, the fight that the fight fans want, the Battle of Britain,” he said.
