Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: What to Expect from the Proposed Battle of Britain Heavyweight Clash
Joshua and Fury: Two British Heavyweight Icons
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been linked as potential opponents for nearly ten years. Both are former two-time heavyweight champions and key figures in recent British boxing history. Now, at ages 36 and 37 respectively, they stand at a crossroads in their careers after each suffered two defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.
The heavyweight division is undergoing significant change. Usyk has given up his belts, with Daniel Dubois holding the WBO, Agit Kabayel the WBC, and Murat Gassiev the WBA titles. The IBF belt remains unclaimed. While this landscape shifts, both Joshua and Fury remain the most prominent names and fans expect them to face off instead of chasing fragmented titles.
Upcoming Fights This Week
This week sees both fighters back in the ring, but not against each other. Fury fights ex-title challenger Mariusz Wach over 10 rounds in Thailand on Friday, July 24. Meanwhile, Joshua headlines an event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 25 against Kristian Prenga, an Albanian knockout artist who has faced limited opposition.
Joshua's return is notable as it follows recovery from injuries sustained in a tragic car accident last December that claimed two of his team members and close friends. The incident occurred during a family trip to Nigeria after Joshua's win over Jake Paul in Miami. Fury came back from retirement earlier this year with a dominant points win over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Wembley and challenged Joshua immediately afterward.
When Will Joshua and Fury Meet?
Assuming both win their upcoming bouts, the long-anticipated fight is scheduled for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Both men signed contracts facilitated by Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh, although negotiations involved venue debates. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn insisted the fight take place in the UK despite Alalshikh's connections with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, which hinted at a U.S. location. Ultimately, Wales was chosen.
Fury has stressed his status as the WBC’s top challenger to Kabayel, suggesting he has a clearer path to a title than Joshua currently does. During media appearances for the Wach fight, Fury expressed skepticism about Joshua’s willingness to confront him directly in press settings, calling Joshua “stiff” and doubting he would handle the intense media pressure.
“I can never see that stiff [Joshua] sitting on a table with me like that fella there [Wach]. What the f— is he going to say? I can never actually see him at a press conference with me. It will just be like… a bombardment,” Fury told iFL TV.
Despite differences, the fight was set.
Have They Fought Before?
Joshua and Fury have never faced off professionally. Stories from a 2010 sparring session add to the anticipation. Fury once praised the young amateur Joshua, saying he was beaten badly during their sessions.
“If I’d have had a bit of a weak chin, I’d have been knocked out for a month. He’s very, very good and he’s only young, 20. Watch out for that name Anthony Joshua - he is one prospect for the future,” Fury said in a BBC London interview.
Fury later revised his account, claiming Joshua was pulled out after three rounds. Joshua’s amateur coach Sean Murphy confirmed some details in 2021, noting Joshua landed strong shots that left Fury holding the ropes and wobbly but wanting more rounds before Joshua was withdrawn.
“Josh got the better of him in the third round. Fury wanted a fourth, but he pulled Josh out,” Murphy told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Joshua referenced the sparring when trading words with Fury after the latter’s Makhmudov win:
“I've never had no problem getting in a ring with you. I punched you up when we were kids and, after watching you tonight, I'll punch you up again.”
