Reports from May 2025 suggested that former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was in advanced negotiations for a lucrative three-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season, aiming to cement his legacy with high-profile bouts in Saudi Arabia. The proposed agreement at the time included two potential clashes against Tyson Fury and a third option involving either Dillian Whyte or Jared Anderson. While the landscape of heavyweight boxing has shifted considerably since then, some elements of these discussions have indeed materialized, albeit with significant changes to the original plan and outcomes.
The Evolving Riyadh Season Partnership and Joshua’s Recent Form
The original article highlighted Joshua’s existing history in Saudi Arabia, where he reclaimed his world titles against Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 and faced Oleksandr Usyk in a 2022 title rematch in Jeddah. His role as an ambassador for Riyadh Season made a multi-fight deal a “natural progression.” While a three-fight deal as initially reported did not fully materialize, Anthony Joshua has indeed remained a central figure in Saudi Arabia’s boxing ambitions. However, his journey since May 2025 has been marked by both a significant setback and a notable comeback.
Prior to the May 2025 reports, Joshua had been rebuilding his career, securing victories after his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022. However, on September 21, 2024, Joshua suffered a shocking fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, with Dubois retaining his IBF heavyweight title. This defeat was considered a major upset, as Dubois was the betting underdog. Joshua was knocked down in the first round and twice more in the fourth, though one was ruled a slip, before Dubois delivered a conclusive stoppage in the fifth.
Following this devastating loss, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, indicated that Joshua would likely fight twice in 2025, aiming for a summer and winter bout. Joshua returned to the ring on December 19, 2025, securing a sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami. This win marked a crucial step in his recovery, especially after a tragic car accident in December 2025 that put his career in jeopardy and claimed the lives of two close friends. Joshua is now scheduled to return on July 25, 2026, against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, as part of his comeback run.
The Elusive Tyson Fury Showdowns
The real headline in the original article was “the prospect of not just one, but two fights against Tyson Fury.” The article stated, “After Fury’s back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, a Joshua rivalry is once again on the table and could come with even higher stakes as both men seek redemption and relevance at the top of the heavyweight division.” This premise, however, was based on future events that unfolded differently. Tyson Fury did indeed face Oleksandr Usyk twice, but the outcomes were not “back-to-back defeats” prior to May 2025.
The first undisputed heavyweight championship bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk took place on May 18, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Usyk won by split decision, handing Fury his first professional loss. The highly anticipated rematch occurred on December 21, 2024, also in Riyadh, with Usyk once again emerging victorious, this time by unanimous decision. These two losses meant Fury’s professional record stood at 34-2-1 (24 KOs) by the end of 2024.
Despite the initial speculation of two Fury fights within Joshua’s deal, the long-awaited “Battle of Britain” between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has only recently been confirmed. On April 27, 2026, Turki Alalshikh, Eddie Hearn, and Frank Warren confirmed that contracts for a fight between Fury and Joshua have been signed for the fourth quarter of 2026. This monumental clash, which has been debated for over a decade, is expected to be broadcast on Netflix. Fury recently returned to action on April 11, 2026, defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov by unanimous decision at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Third Fight Option: Whyte or Anderson?
The third fight in the rumored agreement from May 2025 was reportedly against Dillian Whyte or Jared Anderson. While neither of these matchups materialized as part of a confirmed three-fight deal by May 2026, both fighters have continued their careers with varying degrees of success.
Dillian Whyte, a long-time domestic rival of Joshua, has maintained an active career. His professional record stands at 31 wins and 4 losses, with 21 knockouts. Whyte’s last fight was a first-round TKO loss to Moses Itauma on August 15, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He had previously defeated Ebenezer Tetteh in December 2024 and Christian Hammer in March 2024.
Jared Anderson, the unbeaten American contender mentioned as an alternative, has also been active. His record currently stands at 18 wins and 1 loss, with 15 knockouts. Anderson suffered his first professional loss on August 3, 2024, when he was knocked out in the fifth round by Martin Bakole. He has since bounced back with a unanimous decision victory over Marios Kollias on February 14, 2025. Anderson was scheduled to fight Solomon Dacres on May 9, 2026, but the fight was scrapped due to Anderson suffering a torn bicep. While a fight with Joshua was discussed in May 2025 and late 2026, it has not yet been formally announced.
Implications for the Heavyweight Division
The initial report of a three-fight deal for Anthony Joshua underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in boxing, a trend that has only intensified. Turki Alalshikh’s commitment to staging major fight nights has continued, culminating in the eventual signing of the Fury-Joshua mega-fight. This long-awaited clash, now set for late 2026, is poised to be one of the biggest all-British heavyweight showdowns in history.
The outcomes of the Usyk-Fury fights have significantly shaped the division, with Oleksandr Usyk solidifying his position as a dominant force. Tyson Fury, despite his two losses to Usyk, remains a massive draw, and his upcoming bout with Joshua is a testament to the enduring appeal of their rivalry. For Anthony Joshua, his journey has been one of resilience, overcoming a significant knockout loss and a personal tragedy to remain at the sport’s elite level. The upcoming fight against Kristian Prenga in July 2026 is a crucial step before he faces Fury, with promoter Eddie Hearn emphasizing that neither fighter can afford another loss if the highly anticipated showdown is to retain its full magnitude.
While the exact “Anthony Joshua 3 fight deal” as envisioned in May 2025 did not unfold precisely as reported, the underlying ambition to deliver major fights for Joshua under the Riyadh Season banner has largely been realized. The eventual confirmation of the Fury-Joshua bout, after years of anticipation, promises to deliver a defining moment for both fighters and the heavyweight division.
