Anthony Joshua has publicly called for a long-awaited showdown with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury, declaring he is ready to 'tango' in 2026. The message comes just days before Joshua's high-profile crossover bout with YouTuber Jake Paul in Miami.
The Path to a British Boxing Mega-Fight
Speaking at a media event in Miami on Tuesday night, the 36-year-old Joshua expressed optimism that the blockbuster all-British fight could finally materialise next year. Reports from The Ring Magazine, owned by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, suggest a fight between Joshua and Fury is 'as close as it has ever been' and is planned to headline a Riyadh Season card in 2026.
Joshua revealed a history of near-misses, stating: 'I've spoken to Tyson before, me and Tyson have. I actually signed to fight Tyson. I think it was actually around the time I put my belts up to fight [Oleksandr] Usyk, I was supposed to fight Tyson Fury.' He pointed to Fury's contractual obligations with Deontay Wilder at the time as a key reason the fight fell through.
Fury's Cryptic Comeback Hint
The call from Joshua follows a cryptic social media post from Fury over the weekend, where the 'Gypsy King' teased a potential return to the ring. Fury, who announced his retirement after a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, wrote: 'The king must return to his throne. There is a long and lonely road that only I can walk on, but after the long and hard battles awaits immortality!'
When asked directly if he hopes to fight Fury, Joshua was emphatic. 'Of course, there's hope. Especially when you're talking about doing big time boxing,' he said. He framed the potential clash as the pinnacle of the sport, adding: 'This ain't our first rodeo, we're back again, big time boxing, I just feel like it takes two to tango and I'm on the dance floor. I'm just looking for a dance partner.'
First, Business with 'The Problem Child'
Before any potential Fury fight, Joshua must first deal with Jake Paul. Their bout is scheduled for this Friday in Miami and will be streamed live on Netflix, with UK fans able to watch from around 3:30am on Saturday morning. Joshua is currently in Florida putting the final touches to his preparation.
Joshua's comments underscore his desire to secure the most significant fight in British boxing history, a contest that has eluded fans for years. With both fighters now publicly acknowledging the possibility, the stage could finally be set for a 2026 collision in Saudi Arabia.
