Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has signed a deal to face fellow ex-world champion Tyson Fury, according to promoter Eddie Hearn, but boxing fans are already questioning whether this long-promised showdown will actually materialise.

Joshua will first return to the ring against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on 25 July as he resumes his career following a traumatic end to 2025, a move some analysts see as a cautious rebuild rather than a confident march toward Fury.

The long-anticipated clash between Joshua and Fury has lingered for years despite repeated negotiations. Both men are two-time heavyweight world champions and have defined British boxing’s global presence for more than a decade, yet delays and collapses have made many sceptical. On Monday, April 27, Hearn declared on social media that the blockbuster bout is now “signed, sealed and delivered.”

Before that showdown can happen, Joshua must overcome Prenga, an Albanian heavyweight with 20 wins, all by stoppage, and one defeat, though critics argue the fight appears more like a tune-up than a true test.

Joshua has not fought since facing Jake Paul in December. Later that month, tragedy struck in Nigeria when a car carrying members of his team crashed, killing two people.

“It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring and today is the next step on that journey,” Joshua said, hinting at both physical and emotional recovery.

No official date or venue has been confirmed for Joshua’s bout with Fury, though Hearn previously suggested the fight could land in November on Netflix, a detail that further fuels speculation about commercial priorities driving the timeline.

Joshua recently attended Fury’s comeback win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, where the WBC champion called him out after securing a comfortable decision victory. Fury attempted to lure Joshua into the ring, but the invitation was declined.

Fury’s camp later claimed their side of the contract had been signed and they were waiting on Joshua to follow suit, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to a fight fans have been promised repeatedly.

“I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off,” Joshua added. “As I said, the landlord will collect his rent. That is certain.”