Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have signed a contract to face each other in a blockbuster all-British heavyweight clash, ending years of negotiations and sporting “false starts.”

The announcement was made on Monday by Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, who declared the deal “signed, sealed and delivered.” The fight will bring together two-time world champions who have dominated the global boxing landscape for more than a decade but have famously never shared a ring.

However, Joshua must first navigate a comeback bout against Albania’s Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 25 July—his first competitive appearance since a personal tragedy in December.

A Long Road Back

For Joshua, 36, the fight represents more than just a title tilt; it is a return to normalcy after a traumatic period. The Briton has been out of the ring since December following a fatal car crash in Nigeria involving his team, which claimed the lives of two staff members.

The Path to the Clash:

• The Comeback: Joshua’s fight with Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) in Riyadh is designed as a “rebuild” bout to test his readiness after six months away from the sport.
• The Rivalry: Fury, 37, recently defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov and immediately called out Joshua, accusing his rival of stalling on the contract.
• The “Landlord”: Responding to the signing, Joshua used his familiar refrain: “As I said, the landlord will collect his rent. That is certain.”

Analysis: Boxing’s Biggest ‘What If’ Becomes Reality

For British boxing fans, this is the news they have waited a decade to hear. The “Joshua vs. Fury” saga has survived more collapsed negotiations than perhaps any fight in history. By signing now, both men are acknowledging that their legendary careers require this final, definitive chapter.

But the sporting narrative is heavily shaded by Joshua’s recent personal history. Returning from a tragedy of the scale he experienced in Nigeria is a psychological hurdle that a fight against the relatively unknown Prenga may not fully prepare him for. Fury, ever the provocateur, will likely use this period of “consolidation” to his advantage. If Hearn’s suggestion of a November date on Netflix holds, we are looking at the most significant streaming event in combat sports history—a fight that could finally settle the debate over this era’s heavyweight king.

‘Picking Up Where I Left Off’

Joshua’s last outing was a crossover clash against Jake Paul, but his focus has now shifted back to the traditional heavyweight ranks.

“It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild,” Joshua said. “Today is the next step on that journey. I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off.”