Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury: Reality vs. Wishful Thinking

Oleksandr Usyk has shared his prediction for a potential heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, favoring Joshua to win the encounter.

Usyk’s reasoning for the pick suggests that a Joshua victory would align with reality, stating that Joshua wins because Tyson actually beat him and it creates distance between reality and his wishes for what reality he’d like to have seen.

Current Status of Fury vs. Joshua

The all-British heavyweight showdown has remained a possibility for several years, with negotiations continuing for more than six years. While the fight has not yet been finalized, discussions regarding venues and financial terms are ongoing.

The potential bout is expected to be backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund through boxing powerbroker and Ring Magazine owner Turki Al-Sheikh. Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, has been identified as a latest potential stage for the fight.

Historically, the match has been hindered by a variety of factors, including exclusive television contracts, sponsorship disagreements, purse splits, and previous defeats. A United States judge previously instructed Fury to face Deontay Wilder for a third time due to a contract dispute, which further delayed the Joshua matchup.

Tyson Fury’s Return to the Ring

Before a potential fight with Joshua can be realized, Tyson Fury is scheduled to return to action on April 18, 2026. Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

The bout marks Fury’s first fight in 16 months. His opponent, Makhmudov, is a 6ft 5in (197cm) Russian fighter who is described as having an underwhelming record.

Anthony Joshua’s Recovery and Timeline

Anthony Joshua’s availability for a high-stakes fight is currently influenced by personal tragedy and recovery. Joshua is recovering from a car crash that occurred in December 2025, an accident that resulted in the deaths of two of his closest friends.

Because of these circumstances, reports indicate that Joshua may seek a warm-up bout during the summer of 2026 before committing to a fight against Fury.

Despite the ongoing negotiations and the financial influence of Turki Al-Sheikh, which has expedited contracts in other boxing matchups, the fight remains unconfirmed. The complex nature of the negotiations means there is still a possibility the bout may never occur.