Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: What to Expect from the Battle of Britain Heavyweight Clash
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been shadowing each other in the heavyweight boxing world for about ten years. Both are two-time heavyweight champions and among the biggest names in British sports today. Now in their mid-30s—Joshua is 36, Fury 37—they have both suffered two losses to Oleksandr Usyk, suggesting they might be nearing the later stages of their careers.
Amid changes in the heavyweight division, with Usyk vacating his belts, new champions like Daniel Dubois (WBO), Agit Kabayel (WBC), and Murat Gassiev (WBA) hold major titles, while the IBF belt remains open. Despite this shuffle, fans are eager for Joshua and Fury to face off rather than chase other titles.
Are Joshua and Fury Fighting Soon?
The two are not fighting each other immediately, but both return to the ring this week. On July 24, Fury battles Mariusz Wach, a seasoned former title challenger, in Thailand over ten rounds. The next day, Joshua headlines a fight in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prenga, an Albanian known for knockouts but who has faced less challenging opponents.
This marks Joshua's first fight after a tragic car accident last December that claimed the lives of two of his team members and close friends. The accident happened during a trip to Nigeria, where Joshua has family ties. Fury made a comeback earlier this year, defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov on points at Wembley in April and calling out Joshua afterward.
When Will Joshua and Fury Finally Meet?
Assuming both win their upcoming bouts, the long-awaited clash is set for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Both fighters have signed contracts arranged by Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh to make this happen.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, insisted the fight take place in the UK, despite Alalshikh’s ties to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing and possible preference for a US venue. Ultimately, the match will be held in Wales as planned.
Fury, currently the WBC’s top-ranked challenger, has voiced skepticism about Joshua facing him directly. During media work for his upcoming fight, Fury doubted Joshua would participate in press conferences or stand firm against him, but they overcame their differences to confirm the fight date.
Have Joshua and Fury Fought Before?
They have never met professionally in the ring. Stories about a 2010 amateur sparring session between them add fuel to the hype. Fury recalled giving Joshua a tough time back then, saying Joshua "gave me a beating" and warning others to watch out for him even at age 20.
Fury later claimed Joshua was pulled out of the spar after three rounds. Joshua's amateur coach, Sean Murphy, confirmed some details in 2021, noting Joshua landed strong shots that left Fury shaky, but Fury wanted to continue before Joshua was pulled from the sparring session.
Joshua referred back to the sparring when exchanging words with Fury after Fury’s win over Makhmudov: "I punched you up when we were kids, and after watching you tonight, I'll punch you up again." This ongoing rivalry makes their scheduled fight highly anticipated.
Upcoming Fight Details
- Tyson Fury vs. Mariusz Wach: July 24, Thailand, 10 rounds
- Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga: July 25, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Joshua vs. Fury: December 11, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
