Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight status: Is the  heavyweight showdown still happening?

The long-awaited Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight is still not officially off, but its path to the ring has become far less straightforward.

The all-British heavyweight clash is being targeted for November 2026, with both Fury and Joshua understood to have signed individual contracts with Saudi Arabian promoter Sela. Yet an official announcement has been delayed, with the biggest disagreement reportedly centered on where the fight should take place.

Now Fury has added another twist.

The former heavyweight champion has publicly claimed he is looking for a new opponent and called on Oleksandr Usyk to fight him again. His comments came despite his existing contractual arrangement for a bout with Joshua.

That does not mean Fury vs Joshua has been cancelled. Sela, Queensberry and Matchroom have not confirmed that negotiations have collapsed.

For now, the fight remains a possibility, but the venue dispute and Fury’s latest outburst have made the November blockbuster much harder to call.

Is Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Still Happening?

Yes, the fight is still being pursued, but it has not been officially confirmed.

Fury and Joshua have signed contracts with Sela for the proposed heavyweight showdown, which is being targeted for November.

The problem is that the two sides have not settled the location.

Joshua’s contract reportedly requires the fight to take place in the United Kingdom, while the event’s organizers and broadcaster Netflix are understood to favor staging it in the United States.

That disagreement has delayed the official announcement.

Fury’s latest comments have now created another layer of uncertainty.

Why Did Tyson Fury Say He Is Looking for a New Opponent?

Fury accused Joshua of backing out of the fight in a video posted on Instagram.

He then called out Usyk, suggesting that if Joshua does not want to fight him in 2026, he is prepared to move on.

Fury has already fought Usyk twice and lost both bouts. The Ukrainian is now working with Joshua as part of his training and coaching team, making the call-out particularly notable.

Fury’s comments appear to be an attempt to put pressure on Joshua and the promoters while negotiations remain unresolved.

There has been no confirmation from Joshua that he has withdrawn from the proposed fight.

That distinction matters. Fury saying he is looking for another opponent is not the same thing as the Joshua fight being formally cancelled.

What Is Causing the Delay?

The biggest sticking point is currently the venue.

Joshua reportedly has a contractual requirement for the fight to take place in the U.K. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has been negotiating over the location as organizers consider options outside Britain.

The original preference from Joshua’s camp has been Wembley Stadium in London, a venue capable of hosting a huge crowd and one that would provide an obvious setting for one of the biggest all-British heavyweight fights in years.

Organizers, however, are understood to be interested in taking the fight to the United States.

Madison Square Garden in New York has reportedly been favored by Sela and Netflix.

That creates a commercial argument as well as a sporting one.

A U.S. location would put the event closer to the American market and could make the fight easier to package for a global streaming audience.

Why Does Wembley Matter So Much?

Wembley represents more than just a venue for Joshua.

A Fury-Joshua fight in London would give the contest the atmosphere of a major British sporting event, with tens of thousands of fans traveling to see two of the country’s biggest heavyweight stars fight on home soil.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly backed the idea.

Khan told BBC Sport that he wants the promoters to host the fight in London and argued that Wembley could attract a huge live audience while drawing millions of viewers worldwide.

The mayor’s involvement adds political and civic pressure to a negotiation that is already being shaped by commercial interests.

Could Fury vs Joshua Happen at Wembley?

It is still possible.

Talks over staging the fight in the U.K. have reportedly reopened after pressure from Joshua’s camp and public support from Khan.

But the situation is complicated by broadcast considerations.

A Wembley fight could take place late at night in Britain, potentially pushing the main event into the early hours. That would help accommodate American viewers but could produce a less traditional start time for a major British boxing event.

The promoters therefore have to balance the demands of Joshua’s contract, the commercial value of a U.S. event and the appeal of Wembley.

Why Is Netflix Involved?

Netflix is understood to favor a U.S. location for the proposed fight.

The streaming giant has increasingly become involved in major live sporting events, and a Fury-Joshua bout would represent a significant global attraction.

A fight in New York could make the event easier to position for the American audience, while also giving Netflix a major international boxing spectacle.

A U.K. event would offer a different commercial proposition: a massive domestic audience and the symbolism of two British heavyweights meeting at Wembley.

The venue decision is therefore not simply about where Fury and Joshua want to fight.

It is part of a much larger commercial calculation involving promoters, broadcasters and the global audience.

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What Has Tyson Fury Said About Oleksandr Usyk?

Fury has called on Usyk to fight him again after suggesting Joshua may not want to proceed with their proposed November contest.

The call-out is significant because Fury and Usyk have already shared the ring twice, with Usyk winning both fights.

Fury’s latest comments suggest that a third meeting with Usyk could become his preferred alternative if the Joshua negotiations fall apart.

There is also an unusual connection between the two potential fights: Usyk is currently involved in Joshua’s training camp.

That makes Fury’s challenge more than a routine call-out.

Fury vs Usyk 3: Could It Replace Fury vs Joshua?

It is too early to say.

Fury has expressed his willingness to fight Usyk, but that does not mean a third fight has been negotiated or agreed.

Joshua remains the opponent Fury is contractually linked to for the proposed November event.

For Usyk to replace Joshua, several things would have to change, including the existing contractual arrangements and the commercial plans surrounding the event.

At this stage, Fury vs Usyk 3 is a possibility being discussed publicly by Fury, not a confirmed replacement fight.

What Does This Mean for Anthony Joshua?

Joshua is now at the center of a situation that could determine the biggest fight of his career.

His contract reportedly requires the bout to be staged in Britain, while the organizers are considering the United States.

Fury has interpreted the uncertainty as evidence that Joshua is backing away from the fight.

There is no public confirmation from Joshua that he has withdrawn.

That means fans should separate Fury’s accusations from the confirmed status of the negotiations.

Until Joshua, his promoter or the event organizers announce otherwise, the fight remains on the table.

When Could Fury vs Joshua Be Announced?

An official announcement had been expected soon, but Fury’s latest comments make that timeline less certain.

The November target remains the key date being discussed, but no specific fight night has been officially announced in the information currently available.

The venue needs to be resolved before the promotion can move fully into the public announcement and marketing phase.

If the Wembley option wins out, the event could become one of the biggest boxing cards ever staged in Britain.

If organizers move to New York, the fight would take on a more international and U.S.-focused identity.

Either way, the location is now one of the biggest clues to whether the proposed November fight is actually moving forward.

Why the Fight Is Still Not Dead

Despite the latest drama, there is an important reason not to write off Fury vs Joshua yet.

Both fighters have signed contracts with Sela.

That is much further along than the years of rumors and verbal promises that surrounded the matchup in the past.

The current dispute appears to be focused largely on the event’s location and the surrounding negotiations rather than a confirmed decision by either fighter to abandon the contest.

Fury’s public call-out of Usyk has increased the pressure, but it has not formally ended the Joshua fight.

The next significant development will likely come from the promoters or Joshua’s camp.

What Happens Next for Fury vs Joshua?

The immediate priority is resolving the venue.

If the parties agree on Wembley, the fight could move rapidly toward an official announcement. If the U.S. option remains the preferred route and Joshua’s contractual requirement cannot be resolved, negotiations could become considerably more complicated.

Fury’s comments have also created another deadline of sorts.

He has made clear that he does not want to wait indefinitely.

Until there is an official cancellation, the answer remains open.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua

Is Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua still happening?

The fight has not been officially cancelled. Fury and Joshua have signed contracts with Sela for a proposed November 2026 fight, but an official announcement has been delayed by venue negotiations.

When is Tyson Fury fighting Anthony Joshua?

The fight is being targeted for November 2026, but an exact date has not been officially confirmed.

Where will Fury vs Joshua take place?

The venue has not been finalized. Joshua’s contract reportedly requires the fight to take place in the U.K., with Wembley Stadium his preferred location. Sela and Netflix are understood to favor New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Why is Fury saying he wants a new opponent?

Fury has accused Joshua of backing out of the proposed fight and said he is looking for another opponent. He has specifically called out Oleksandr Usyk for a potential third fight.

Has Anthony Joshua pulled out of the Fury fight?

There is no confirmed announcement that Joshua has pulled out. Fury has made the accusation, but promoters and Joshua’s camp have not confirmed that the fight has collapsed.

Could Tyson Fury fight Oleksandr Usyk instead?

Fury has publicly called for a third fight with Usyk, but no Fury-Usyk 3 bout has been confirmed. Fury remains contractually linked to the proposed Joshua fight.

How many times has Tyson Fury fought Oleksandr Usyk?

Fury has fought Usyk twice and lost both contests.

Is Usyk training Anthony Joshua?

Yes. Usyk is now working with Joshua as part of his training and coaching team, making Fury’s latest call-out particularly significant.

Could Fury vs Joshua happen at Wembley?

Yes, Wembley remains a possible location. Talks about staging the fight in the U.K. have reportedly reopened, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan publicly supporting the proposal.

Why does Netflix want the fight in America?

Netflix is understood to favor Madison Square Garden in New York, which would place the event in the U.S. market and potentially make it easier to build around American audiences and broadcast timings.

Has Fury vs Joshua been officially announced?

No. Contracts have reportedly been signed, but the fight has not received the final official announcement because negotiations over the venue remain unresolved.