Tyson Fury has confirmed that a showdown with Anthony Joshua remains his priority fight after his comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov next month, describing the all-British heavyweight clash as the biggest fight in boxing and saying he would take the chance to knock out his long-time rival over winning another world title,

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his April 11 return against Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Fury was unambiguous about his intentions.

“Of course, if it’s a fight to be made, let’s get it done. Let me get Makhmudov out the way, and we’re on. They’re all options because nothing’s promised. The biggest fight for me in world boxing and the biggest fight in the world of boxing is me versus AJ. Even today, even after all these years, it’s still the biggest fight in boxing, it’s still the biggest fight,” he said.

Fury also revealed that while Joshua topped his wishlist, a trilogy fight with Oleksandr Usyk or a world title clash with either Fabio Wardley or Daniel Dubois were also on his radar.

“After that, for me, it would be me versus Usyk, or the winner of them two. Three-time world champion’s pretty good, it’s got a good ring to it. But being a five-time world champion or the chance to knock AJ out, I’d take the chance to knock AJ out. Because once you’ve won all the belts before, which I have, it’s always nice to be a world champion, great. But it’s not the be-all and end-all. I think the fans are more interested in me and Joshua in the street rather than another world title,” he said.

The development comes as Joshua steps up his own preparations for a summer comeback. The British-Nigerian boxer, who stopped Jake Paul in six rounds in Miami in December before being involved in a horror car crash in Nigeria 10 days later that claimed the lives of his friends, personal trainer Kevin Ayodele and recovery therapist Sina Ghami, has returned to full training camp and was recently spotted working alongside Usyk and trainer Iegor Golub.

Promoter Eddie Hearn had earlier this week rejected reports that a Joshua-Fury fight was already signed, insisting there was “absolutely nothing agreed,” though he acknowledged that deep conversations about the bout had taken place before the accident.

Hearn has targeted a Joshua ring return in July, with Dillian Whyte among the names circulating as a potential warm-up opponent.

Usyk, meanwhile, is preparing for his WBC heavyweight title defence against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Egypt at the Giza necropolis, and has stated he intends to fight just twice more, including a trilogy bout with Fury.

Tyson Fury has given his honest thoughts on Anthony Joshua training with Oleksandr Usyk, while also assessing the likelihood of their long-talked-about domestic dustup.

‘AJ’ joined forces with Team Usyk ahead of his last outing, which resulted in a sixth-round knockout over Jake Paul in December.

This was Joshua’s first contest since his fifth-round stoppage defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, with many expecting the 36-year-old to face a more credible opponent earlier this year.

Any plans for a rapid turnaround, however, were swiftly scuppered after the Brit was involved in a tragic car crash, where two of his closest friends lost their lives.

The devastating news left many wondering whether he would even resume his career, until it was gleaned that Joshua is currently training with Usyk.

Having returned to the gym, promoter Eddie Hearn suspects his charge will enter the ring this summer, before targeting a potential clash with Fury.

‘The Gypsy King’ has not fought since 2024, when he suffered two points defeats to Usyk, but is gearing up to face Arslanbek Makhmudov at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11.

After that, the 37-year-old has told Sky Sports that he would be open to a possible Joshua showdown, teasing the recruitment of a heavyweight legend as his trainer after saying his rival’s new set up ‘won’t help.’

While they train at the same facility in Spain, Usyk is yet to appear in Joshua’s corner but could play a more influential role in his next outing, having said he will likely be there for ‘championship’ bouts.

Nigerian-born former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua has reportedly signed a contract that will see him fight fellow-British pugilist, Tyson Fury later this year or early in 2027.

The fight with Fury has already been signed and sealed in the background, but it will not happen until Joshua first returns to the ring against another British fighter, Dillian Whyte in June or July.

Although nothing official has come from Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, details of the former two-time champion’s schedule have been unearthed by renowned boxing journalist, Gareth A. Davies, who cited ‘good authority’ as his source.

Davies affirmed that ‘AJ’ and ‘The Gypsy King’ have both reached an agreement to meet in the ring before the end of this year, but Whyte will be the first opponent for Joshua after his survival of a car accident in Ogun State.

Different news angles and developments have trailed Joshua since the accident on December 29th, which claimed the lives of two of his best friends, but Hearn disclosed that the boxer was back in training last week.

He now appears set to step up his preparations to take on Whyte in a much-expected all-British blockbuster bout, before then turning his attention on the ultimate showdown with Fury, which is expected to take place in London.

Davies disclosed while speaking on talkSPORT at the start of this week, “The Fury-Joshua fight is signed. Okay, it is signed in the background. I’ve got that on good authority.

“It will be broadcast live on Netflix and is likely to occur either late in the year or next year, with Joshua expected to return to the ring in either June or July. It’s with the big money people. It’ll be on Netflix.”

Nigerian-born former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has reportedly signed a deal to face fellow British heavyweight, Tyson Fury, in a blockbuster showdown later this year or early 2027.

Reports indicate that the agreement for the long-anticipated bout has been concluded behind the scenes. However, the fight is not expected to take place until Joshua first returns to the ring against another British contender, Dillian Whyte, in June or July.

Although there has been no official confirmation from Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, details of the former two-time champion’s schedule were revealed by respected boxing journalist, Gareth A. Davies, who cited a credible source.

Davies stated that both Joshua, popularly known as “AJ,” and Fury, nicknamed “The Gypsy King,” have agreed to face each other before the end of the year. He added that Whyte is expected to be Joshua’s first opponent following his recovery from a car accident in Ogun State.

Joshua has been the subject of several reports since the December 29 accident, which tragically claimed the lives of two of his close friends. However, Hearn recently confirmed that the boxer resumed training last week.

The former champion is now set to intensify preparations for the anticipated all-British clash with Whyte, before turning his focus to the high-stakes encounter with Fury, which is expected to take place in London.

Speaking on talkSPORT earlier this week, Davies said: “The Fury-Joshua fight is signed — it’s done in the background. I’ve got that on good authority.

“It is expected to be broadcast live on Netflix and could take place either late this year or next year, with Joshua likely to return to the ring in June or July. It’s backed by major financial investors.”