Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are set to face off in a two-fight deal, ending years of speculation. The confirmation came from Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, marking a significant moment for boxing fans.

Joshua's Path to Fury

Joshua will first return to the ring on July 25th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, against Kristian Prenga. This bout is a crucial preparation step for the ultimate clash with Fury.

Prenga's Confidence

Kristian Prenga, Joshua’s upcoming opponent, believes Joshua has made a “terrible miscalculation” in selecting him for a warm-up fight. He boasts an undefeated record and significant knockout power.

The Battle of Britain Venue

While Wembley Stadium was initially considered, Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, is now the leading candidate to host the fight. This change is largely due to substantial tax advantages offered by boxing in Ireland.

Financial Stakes and Fighter Motivation

The financial implications are substantial, with each boxer potentially earning $20-30 million. Alalshikh’s investment is key to facilitating these earnings. Both fighters reportedly invested more effort in securing this fight than in their recent bouts.

Fury's Perspective

Tyson Fury emphasized the fight’s importance, calling it the “biggest fight in world boxing” and the only one that has truly captured his interest since his comeback.

Beyond the Ring

There’s growing excitement surrounding the event’s entertainment value. Turki Alalshikh has expressed interest in having British music superstar Dua Lipa perform at the fight.

Joshua's Preparation

Anthony Joshua has acknowledged needing time to recover, both emotionally and physically, but asserts he is now ready to resume his career. He aims to ‘pick up where he left off’.