There are fans of fighters, and then there are fans of fights. For a long time, many wanted to see Terence Crawford fight Errol Spence Jr. Another one on the list was Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury. Perhaps the clash that topped the chart was the Canelo and Crawford showdown. Now, as most of us know, while these fights eventually cropped up, a few still lingered, lurking behind the curtain. In that stable, perhaps no other fight grabs more attention than Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury. Despite suffering losses at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk, the two British heavyweights remain big draws.

A few months ago, amid talks about a potential matchup, hopes thinned when Tyson Fury‘s father, John Fury, stated, “It sits with me as nothing really because they should have fought six years ago when they were both at their best.” Reportedly, Fury wants to set the record straight with Usyk before taking the biggest clash in British boxing. Still, the AJ vs. Fury fight may not be completely out the window. Though laced with caution, a Matchroom executive’s frank admission offers some reassurance. After the KO loss to Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua has yet to make a return. He underwent surgery to treat his elbow.

Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury: Hope on the horizon

A FightHype reporter caught up with Frank Smith in Sheffield. The Matchroom CEO was in Sheffield for the much-anticipated heavyweight clash between David Allen and Arslanbek Makhmudov. A few minutes into the conversation, the reporter asked, “We’ve heard a little bit of Eddie talking about this this week about how AJ could potentially be back before the end of the year. Any truth to that?” Smith smiled and responded, “Anything’s possible.”

So the reporter took another route. Coming from the flanks, they referenced Queensberry CEO Frank Warren’s recent comment. It seems Tyson Fury is looking forward to a 2026 comeback. “Is 2026 the year we’re finally going to see Fury versus AJ, Frank?” they asked.

Frank Smith could only wish the fight would become a reality. “I hope so,” he said. However, in saying so, he pointed at a stark truth: “We do so much talking in this sport, don’t we? Where things don’t always come to fruition.”  Still, he remained hopeful the fight would eventually make it to the ring.

“It’s the biggest fight to be made. And I’m hopeful we see it because, you know, we all want to see it. We’re fans as much as anyone. So, yeah, I’m confident in 2026 that’s what we’ll see,” Smith concluded.

A glimmer of hope or another mirage?

Speaking with ESPN, Eddie Hearn shared that Joshua, who has now recovered from the surgery, is aiming for a fixture in either Nigeria or Ghana before lunging at the Fury showdown. “We have had an approach from Ghana, and now Nigeria,” he said before adding, “I’ve never heard him speak about anyone like he speaks about Tyson Fury, not just wanting to fight him, but saying he can’t wait to knock him spark out.”

Hearn appears to have had talks with Riyadh Season head Turki Alalshikh about the AJ vs. Fury showdown. Earlier, Alalshikh also spoke about the matchup. “Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury next year—we are trying to do it and thinking about it. I need to have for each one a tune-up fight first. Why? Because they are both coming from losing. It’s to build it up,” he told ThaBoxingVoice.

The all-British fight has been lurking in the shadows for the last couple of years. But despite the time and their ages, many believe AJ vs. Fury should be made. “We need to see that fight. I think they owe it to the British public,” said boxing great Lennox Lewis.

While fans have every right to hope, they should do so with a pinch of salt. This is boxing, after all. Many things are talked about, but very few see the light of day.

What’s your take? Do you believe AJ vs. Fury will eventually happen?