Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua bombshell with battle lastly lined up as plans ‘leaked’
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are reportedly set to collide in a Riyadh Season mega-event in 2026, with both heavyweight boxers competing in individual fights first
Tyson Fury is rumoured to be gearing up for a return to the boxing ring. A much-anticipated showdown against Anthony Joshua is now supposedly on the cards for 2026.
Ring Magazine reports that Fury and two-time heavyweight champion Joshua, who is due to face YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul on 19 December at Miami’s Kaseya Center, are predicted to headline “a Riyadh Season mega-event” in 2026.
In the lead-up to this eagerly awaited clash, both British fighters will participate in separate bouts as part of the Riyadh Season, an array of entertainment, cultural and sporting events held in Saudi Arabia’s capital since 2019.
This isn’t the first time Fury has hinted at a potential comeback. After consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, the two-time former heavyweight world champion announced his retirement in January. He later reversed his decision, only to once again express his intention to retire.
In a conversation with iFL TV on Wednesday, Fury admitted he was content with life after boxing, even if it meant fans missing out on a blockbuster fight against Joshua. The 37-year-old did leave the door open for a return, however, if the financial reward was right.
“I don’t think so,” Fury responded when told it would be a “f****** disaster for British boxing” if he didn’t fight Joshua before retiring. “I think you’ve had the use of me, all of you, for the past 20 years.
“I’ve made more f****** millionaires than the lotto has in this game, yeah. And if I never box again, I’m happy. Very happy. And you should be too because I’m out of this in one piece, still good looking.
“I’m still able to turn every content out there and make ’em happy. That’s what I do, I make people happy. I bring joy… I miss you all, too. God bless you, and I’ll see you in 2026 if the deal’s right.”
Later on, Fury couldn’t help but take a playful swipe at Joshua, throwing his weight behind Paul in their potential showdown. “I think Jake Paul chins AJ if they fight,” he declared boldly. “100%. If they fight I’m putting £1 million on Jake Paul.”
Despite Fury maintaining peak condition since retiring from the ring, his manager Spencer Brown disclosed last month that the heavyweight has rejected numerous comeback proposals.
When questioned about the ‘Gypsy King’s’ possible return, Brown told BoxNation: “Is he coming back? Look, Tyson’s got an itch he probably wants to scratch. Is he coming back?
“I don’t know, we won’t know. All I can say is he’s been offered fights. He’s turned everything down at the moment. Tyson’s Tyson. All of a sudden, tomorrow, he might say I’m fighting again or he might say I’m never fighting again. That’s Tyson, that’s why we love him. He’s this mystery figure. Would I like to see him come back? Yeah, for selfish personal reasons.”
