The long-delayed British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua now has a concrete target window, with the fight reportedly set for late 2026. However, Joshua must first overcome Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at an event billed as "The Comeback," according to Ring Magazine.
Joshua's Path to Fury
Joshua enters the Prenga fight with a 29-4 record. The Olympic gold medalist and former two-time unified heavyweight champion has faced a challenging period, losing to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, knocking out former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou earlier that year, and defeating Otto Wallin in 2023. Prenga, an Albanian heavyweight with a 17-1 record and 13 consecutive knockout wins, poses a significant risk. Joshua is expected to be the clear favorite, but heavyweight boxing has a history of upsets when fighters look ahead.
Fury's Journey
Fury, meanwhile, brings his own complicated path. He defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to become unified champion, built a defining trilogy with Deontay Wilder, and then lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. After another brief retirement, Fury returned on April 11, beating Arslanbek Makhmudov by wide decision in London. This fight remains significant despite years of delays, as Fury and Joshua are the two biggest British heavyweight stars of their era, kept apart by belts, losses, rematches, retirements, and boxing politics.
The Stakes
If Joshua wins in July, Fury vs. Joshua becomes the monster fight boxing has teased for years. If he loses, the matchup collapses back into uncertainty. Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh confirmed the news on X, stating, "To my friends in Great Britain, it's happening. It's signed." The fight is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2026.
