Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have been on a collision course for the entirety of their respective boxing careers, but a fight between the pair of heavyweight titans is yet to come to fruition. As of 16:32 on 28 January 2026, the landscape of this potential showdown has shifted with new developments.
Tyson Fury Announces Comeback Fight
Tyson Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, marking his grand return to the world of boxing. The Gypsy King announced his retirement from the sport last January following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, but has now reversed that decision.
Frank Warren's Role in the Potential Joshua Fight
In December, Frank Warren revealed that Fury would return to the squared-circle to take on Joshua, but only for the right price. The Queensberry promotor said: "What will encourage Tyson is the financial aspect of it," adding: "Tyson has his price. If he gets his price, he'll be in there to fight him." This financial incentive is a key factor in making the long-awaited bout a reality.
Anthony Joshua's Recent Challenges
AJ was involved in a car crash in Nigeria at the end of 2025 which took the lives of two of his closest friends and team-mates. As a result, the 36-year-old's future in the sport was cast into speculation, as well as a potential showdown with Fury. However, Joshua has recently been spotted back in the gym hitting pads in a form of "mental strength therapy," as he continues to mourn the loss of two of his closest friends. Eddie Hearn believes that the boxing titan will continue his career when he is ready to do so.
Alternative Options and Reactions
Earlier this month, Fabio Wardley emerged as an alternative should a fight with Joshua fail to materialise. Fury described the current WBO heavyweight world champion as a "good option." Meanwhile, Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi boxing chief, gave his take on Fury's return, saying: "We are happy that Tyson decided to come out of retirement for what should be an exciting heavyweight clash against Makhmudov."
Fury himself expressed excitement about his comeback, stating: "I'm excited to be back. My heart has always been and always will be in boxing. Someone go tell the king that the ace is back!" This announcement adds a new layer to the ongoing saga of a potential Fury vs Joshua fight, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as developments unfold.
