Tyson Fury Targets Career-Defining Clash With Anthony Joshua Following Heavyweight Comeback

Tyson Fury declares his desire to face Anthony Joshua in 2026 following his heavyweight comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov this Saturday.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 6:35 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BBC Sport and FOX Sports

The Return of the Gypsy King

Tyson Fury is set to step back into the ring this Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking the end of his fifth retirement and a 16-month absence from professional boxing. The veteran heavyweight’s return follows consecutive losses to undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk, defeats that many believed had signaled the end of his storied career. However, a recent training camp in Thailand has reportedly revitalized the fighter, who claims to be as sharp as ever as he prepares to face Arslanbek Makhmudov. Fury noted that while his focus remains on the immediate challenge, the prospect of a career-defining showdown with Anthony Joshua is the primary motivation behind his latest comeback.

A Long-Awaited All-British Super-Fight

For nearly a decade, the British boxing public has clamored for a unification bout between Fury and Joshua, two-time world champions who have dominated the global heavyweight scene. While negotiations have collapsed multiple times in the past, Fury told BBC Radio 5 Live that the "Joshua fight" is the one he wants next, provided he successfully navigates his bout this weekend. The commercial appeal of the matchup remains immense, despite both fighters entering the twilight of their careers. Promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that the logistics for the fight are once again being explored, with 2026 viewed as the final window to make the historic clash a reality.

Joshua’s Recovery and Return to Training

Anthony Joshua, 36, has not fought since December 2025, when he stopped social-media-star-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a sixth-round knockout in Miami. While that victory was intended to lead directly into a 2026 clash with Fury, plans were tragically halted on December 29, 2025, when Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria. The accident claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s close friends and longtime trainers, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami. Joshua, who sustained only minor injuries in the wreck, is expected to be ringside at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Saturday, signaling a return to the public eye and a move toward active training.