The long-awaited British heavyweight super-fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could finally be staged in the summer of 2025, with promoter Frank Warren targeting Wembley Stadium as the venue.
Timing and Venue: The Summer Showdown Plan
Frank Warren has outlined the logistical hurdles preventing an earlier clash. Anthony Joshua is expected to fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February 2025, but this date comes too soon for Tyson Fury. The 'Gypsy King' will be on a family holiday and will not be ready to compete.
Warren explained the situation, stating that for Fury to be ready by February would be "an impossibility." He confirmed that if the fight is to happen in the UK, Wembley Stadium is the preferred home, which naturally pushes the event to the summer months due to stadium availability and weather.
Path to the Ring: Tune-Ups and Training
Neither fighter currently holds a world title, having both been defeated by the brilliant unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua, 36, recently returned to winning ways with a sixth-round knockout of YouTuber Jake Paul in Miami, a fight that drew criticism from some quarters for lowering the sport's standards.
Joshua has now been linked with a crossover bout against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven for his Saudi return in February. His four career defeats, including two to Usyk and losses to Andy Ruiz and Daniel Dubois, are seen as a more realistic gauge of his current level.
Tyson Fury, 37, who retired after consecutive losses to Usyk but is widely expected to return, could have a tune-up fight as early as April 2025 to prepare for a potential Joshua showdown. Warren revealed Fury has been "ticking over" with training and is willing to fight if his requirements are met.
The All-Time Box Office Appeal
Despite both fighters being past their peak, there is little doubt that a Joshua-Fury battle would be a monumental box office event. Warren emphasised the fight's massive appeal, quipping, "But he won’t be fighting a YouTuber!" in a clear nod to Joshua's recent opponent.
The promoter remains hopeful, stating that an April tune-up for Fury "would give him time to prepare and get ready providing all the financials are OK." The stage now seems set for a final attempt to make this iconic British sporting rivalry a reality next summer.
