Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua looks on as 2026 ‘mega-event’ plan leaked | Boxing | Sport
Tyson Fury is rumoured to be preparing for a potential return to the boxing ring to face Anthony Joshua in what promises to be a blockbuster bout. Joshua is set to take on Jake Paul in an exhibition fight on 19 December at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, but, according to Ring Magazine, he could take the top bill alongside Fury for a Riyadh Season mega-event” in 2026.
Ahead of the highly anticipated clash, both boxers will compete in individual bouts. The Riyadh season is a programme of entertainment, cultural, and sporting events held in the Saudi capital since 2019.
This wouldn’t be the first occasion Fury has hinted at a comeback. The former two-time world champion announced his retirement following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. He backtracked months later – before once more signalling his plans to hang up his gloves.
In conversation with iFL TV on Wednesday, Fury revealed he was satisfied with life beyond boxing, even if that meant denying supporters a mega-fight with Joshua. The 37-year-old did, however, suggest a potential comeback remained possible depending on the financial incentive.
“I don’t think so,” Fury replied when told it would be a “f****** disaster for British boxing” if he didn’t fight Joshua before retiring.
“I think you’ve had the use of me, all of you, for the past 20 years. I’ve made more f****** millionaires than the lotto has in this game, yeah. And if I never box again, I’m happy. Very happy.
“And you should be too because I’m out of this in one piece, still good looking, still able to turn every content out there and make ’em happy.
“That’s what I do, I make people happy. I bring joy… I miss you all, too. God bless you, and I’ll see you in 2026 if the deal’s right.”
During the same discussion, Fury took an unmistakable dig at Joshua whilst backing Paul in a prospective clash between the pair. “I think Jake Paul chins AJ if they fight,” he stated.
“100%. If they fight I’m putting £1 million on Jake Paul.”
Although Fury has stayed in impressive shape since stepping away from the ring, his manager Spencer Brown revealed last month that the heavyweight has declined multiple comeback offers.
Asked about the ‘Gypsy King’s’ potential return, Brown told BoxNation: “Is he coming back? Look, Tyson’s got an itch he probably wants to scratch. Is he coming back? I don’t know, we won’t know. All I can say is he’s been offered fights.
“He’s turned everything down at the moment. Tyson’s Tyson. All of a sudden, tomorrow, he might say I’m fighting again or he might say I’m never fighting again. That’s Tyson, that’s why we love him. He’s this mystery figure. Would I like to see him come back? Yeah, for selfish personal reasons.”
