Is Anthony Joshua Ready For His Late 2026 Clash With Fury?

Anthony Joshua Eyes a Summer Return Before Tyson Fury this Fall

After months of speculation, the 2026 fight schedule for Anthony “AJ” Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) is finally set. First up is a summer showdown against Kristian Prenga, with a long-awaited clash against Tyson Fury looming in the fall, provided everything goes according to plan.

In coordination with Matchroom Boxing, Joshua has confirmed he will return to the ring on July 25 in Saudi Arabia. The two-time heavyweight champion has been inactive since suffering a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in August 2024.

Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) presents a legitimate threat with his power and relentless, come-forward style. Still, the prevailing sentiment is that this bout serves as a calculated comeback opportunity – a chance for Joshua to shake off ring rust and reestablish momentum.

SETTING UP FOR THE BIG ONE

The real intrigue lies in what could come next. According to Turki Alalshikh and The Ring Magazine, Joshua and Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs) have agreed to terms for a long-anticipated showdown later this year.

Momentum for the fight intensified following Fury’s unanimous decision win over Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11. In his post-fight interview, Fury directly called out Joshua, once again fueling a rivalry that has simmered for nearly a decade without resolution.

While both fighters are now closer to the twilight of their careers and no longer hold the same dominance they once did, their names still carry enormous weight. Joshua vs Fury remains a massive global event and arguably the biggest fight that can be made in British boxing.

THE LINGERING QUESTION

There are still “ifs” surrounding Joshua. He must first take care of business against Prenga. That may seem straightforward on paper, but it comes with real risk. A loss or even a lackluster performance could derail everything.

And even if Joshua wins, how much does he have left? Can he still compete at the elite level? And perhaps most importantly—will the version of AJ that shows up be enough to make a fight with Fury truly compelling? While the fight may finally be within reach, it still depends on whether Joshua can prove he belongs in it.

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