Promoter Eddie Hearn left no room for ambiguity: "Signed, sealed, delivered. AJ v Fury is on. The biggest piece of business we've ever done" - the contracts are signed and the fight is heading for November 2026.

The deal comes weeks after Fury's April 11 comeback, when he returned from a 16-month absence with a unanimous-decision win over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Broadcast live on Netflix, Fury issued a ringside challenge to Joshua at the final bell - with Joshua himself watching from inside the arena - in front of a global audience.

A Deal a Decade in the Making

Saudi sports chief Turki Alalshikh confirmed the agreement for both camps directly: "To my friends in Great Britain - it's happening. It's signed." Spencer Brown of Gold Star Promotions, representing Fury's side, also confirmed the deal was in place, according to Sky Sports.

Fury carries a record of 35-2-1 into the fight, his only defeats coming in back-to-back points losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024.

Joshua stands at 29-4, with two losses to Usyk also on his ledger. Both men share a common rival and, for the first time in their careers, a signed contract to finally face each other.

For those new to the sport, understanding boxing weight classes helps explain why this heavyweight clash carries such significance.

Netflix holds global broadcast rights for the November bout, extending the platform's growing footprint in heavyweight boxing.

Wembley Stadium, with a capacity of around 90,000, is the leading venue candidate - the largest and most recognisable sporting stage in the country for an event that has long been described as the biggest fight in British boxing history. This bout is set to rank among the highest paid boxing matches of all time.

Joshua's Prenga Test and Usyk's Unexpected Role

Before November, Joshua must first clear a mandatory tune-up on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga - also on Netflix. The bout is a stated condition of the Fury fight proceeding, negotiated as part of the same package deal.

The involvement of Oleksandr Usyk has given Joshua's preparation an unexpected dimension.

The Ukrainian, who beat both Fury and Joshua across consecutive fights, has confirmed he is actively mentoring Joshua ahead of the November showdown - a development that adds a notable subplot to a fight already rich in backstory. Check out the Anthony Joshua profile for a full breakdown of his career record.

Fury's Makhmudov performance drew a measured reception, with Boxing News 24 noting concerns alongside the result.

Scorecards of 120-108, 119-109, and 119-109 reflected consistent control across 12 rounds, and the post-fight callout - with Joshua present in the building - gave the comeback a clear direction of travel.

The exact date and ringwalk time for Wembley in November are still to be confirmed, with Australian fans on Netflix facing an early-morning AEDT start once scheduling is finalised. For the latest boxing betting odds, markets will be available closer to fight week.

Joshua vs Prenga in Riyadh on July 25 is the first chapter. Then, the all-British fight that boxing has waited a decade for follows before the year is out.