Joshua–Fury Fight Set After Joshua’s Comeback Wins
After Anthony Joshua’s September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, a rematch and a long-discussed fight with Tyson Fury were both floated as possible next steps. The Dubois rematch never happened. As of October 29, 2026, Joshua is scheduled to face Fury on December 11 in Cardiff, following comeback wins over Jake Paul and Kristian Prenga.
The loss that prompted the speculation
Joshua challenged Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on September 21, 2024. Dubois dropped him several times and stopped him in the fifth round. Joshua’s defeat sparked immediate discussion about whether he would seek a rematch or move toward a blockbuster bout with Fury.
In 2024, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn was discussing both possibilities, while Fury was preparing for his December 2024 rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. Those were negotiations and projections, not confirmed plans. Fury then lost the Usyk rematch and announced his retirement in January 2025, further delaying the matchup.
Joshua’s results since Wembley
Joshua returned to the ring in December 2025 and knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round. In July 2026, he faced Kristian Prenga in Jeddah. Joshua was knocked down twice in the first round but recovered to stop Prenga in round two. That bout marked his return after a lengthy absence and set up the possibility of a major fight later in the year.
Fury fight scheduled for December 2026
Joshua and Fury are now scheduled to meet on December 11, 2026, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The announcement ends years of speculation about a matchup between the two British heavyweights, though the fight has not yet taken place. Reuters reported in October that the event is planned for Netflix, with ring walks expected after midnight local time to accommodate U.S. viewing hours.
The original question—Dubois rematch or Fury showdown?—has a clearer answer now: Joshua’s next announced opponent is Fury. The 2024 loss to Dubois remains an important turning point in the story, but a rematch is not the bout currently on the calendar.
Sources: BBC Sport: Dubois stops Joshua at Wembley; Reuters: Fury’s January 2025 retirement announcement; Reuters: Joshua–Paul result; Reuters: Fury–Joshua date and venue; Reuters: event timing and Netflix broadcast.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
