Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua set to finally meet in 2026 after one crucial step happens first

One of the biggest fights in boxing is reportedly set to finally take place next year.

Many believed that after years of talking about the chances of it finally happening, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could share the ring with each other in the near future.

READ: Tyson Fury tipped to accept new world title fight in comeback plan before Oleksand

While both men have gone down very different paths in recent times, this dream clash appears to make a lot of sense for both of their careers right now.

Joshua is currently focused on his upcoming bout with Jake Paul on December 19, which many are unsurprisingly expecting him to come through with little issue.

Meanwhile, Fury’s retirement has always had Joshua’s name looming over it, with this being the one big matchup fans wanted that he wasn’t able to tick off.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will fight in 2026 after both men face different opponents first

For years, fans and fellow fighters have debated who would win in a heavyweight contest between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

The Ring Magazine reported on December 12 that this speculation will finally end in 2026, with sources advising them that Fury will face Joshua in a bout that appeared to have gotten away from fans so many times.

The two heavyweight icons of their era will reportedly headline a Riyadh Season “mega-event” next year with no specific month mentioned at this time.

However, before this dream bout takes place, it has also been noted that they will each face a different opponent first, which will also be a part of next year’s Riyadh Season.

This is sure to immediately cause concern among fans who have seen big fights fall apart due to matchups that are perceived as warm-ups not going to plan in the past.

Given that Fury hasn’t fought since last December, when he was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk for a second time, it’s not surprising that he’d want to make his return before squaring off with ‘AJ’.

The long-running feud between the two men was reignited several months ago, with some comments being exchanged by Joshua and Fury which has now led to this update.

Anthony Joshua has had big fights fall through due to similar plans in the past

The big concern for fans following this update will be the fights that Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are going to have before they face one another.

Two years ago, the possibility of finally seeing ‘AJ’ take on Deontay Wilder slipped through the fingers of the fans when both men shared the same card.

While Joshua overcame Otto Wallin in the main event, Wilder was beaten by Joseph Parker in the previous fight, which significantly hurt the chances of them facing each other in the near future.

Given how close Joshua vs Fury now feels, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on both men to come through these bouts unscathed so that one of the biggest clashes of this era can finally happen.