Joshua Secures Fury Fight, Prepares for Prenga in Riyadh
Multi-fight deal confirmed, setting stage for a monumental clash and a significant career payday.
Image: Matt Weston / AI
Carla Rooney
Anthony Joshua has signed a contract to fight Tyson Fury, with the highly anticipated heavyweight bout expected to unfold later this year.
Turki Alalshikh, a prominent Saudi Arabian boxing executive, confirmed the signing, stating unequivocally, "It's happening. It's signed."
Alalshikh indicated the Fury fight would likely occur in November, with Croke Park in Dublin emerging as a more probable venue than Wembley.
Ours is the biggest fight in world boxing at the moment.
Tyson Fury had previously insisted he already signed to fight Joshua, declaring, "Ours is the biggest fight in world boxing at the moment."
Fury also stated he would retire for good if the fight fell apart, marking a critical juncture for his career trajectory.
Beyond the legal debate, Eddie Hearn confirmed the long-awaited fight was "signed, sealed and delivered," adding, "AJ v Fury is on!"
This agreement culminates years of speculation and failed negotiations, echoing the protracted build-up to other historic heavyweight contests.
The Ali-Frazier rivalry of the 1970s, for instance, captivated global audiences, much like this modern clash promises to do, drawing immense public and economic stakeholder interest.
Joshua acknowledged his preparation, stating, "It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring and today is the next step on that journey."
He expressed delight, saying, "I’m delighted to have agreed a multi-fight deal starting with July 25 in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
Joshua also declared, "As I said, the landlord will collect his rent, that is certain," a statement projecting confidence ahead of his immediate challenge.
This is the kind of fight that changes everything in my life and his. I will derail their plans and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia.
However, Kristian Prenga, Joshua's immediate opponent, claimed Joshua made a "terrible miscalculation" in selecting him for the July bout.
Prenga stated, "This is the kind of fight that changes everything in my life and his," underscoring the high stakes for both fighters.
He added, "I will derail their plans and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia," setting a defiant tone for their encounter.
The upcoming fight between Joshua and Fury projects as the largest payday in either fighter's career, potentially boosting their net worths close to £150 million ($200 million).
This financial scale reflects a broader trend in boxing, where major events increasingly attract substantial investment from regions like Saudi Arabia, reshaping the sport's economic landscape.
Looking ahead, Eddie Hearn suggested Joshua could continue fighting for another three years, indicating a sustained career trajectory beyond these immediate high-profile contests.
The contract implies Joshua vs. Prenga is part of a larger deal that will see Joshua box Fury later in 2026, with a Netflix broadcast anticipated, marking a significant shift in sports media distribution.
Adding another stakeholder's perspective, Oleksandr Usyk believes Anthony Joshua will overcome Tyson Fury in the ring.
Finally, Turki Alalshikh reiterated the certainty of the main event, telling friends in Great Britain, "It’s happening. It’s signed."