Joshua calls out Fury for long-awaited 2026 showdown after KO of Jake Paul

Anthony Joshua announced his intention to fight Tyson Fury next year after delivering a sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in Miami on Friday night, signaling his return to boxing after an 18-month layoff.

The win revived talk of the long-awaited heavyweight showdown, with Joshua and Fury being lined up for a 2026 clash as part of Riyadh Season under Saudi organizer Tukri Alalshikh, according to Daily Mail Sport. Joshua wrestled control in the sixth round, finally dropping Paul with a clean right hand after Paul had used grappling and movement to frustrate him throughout the bout.

Afterward, Joshua said he shook off the cobwebs and is ready for bigger and better things. He challenged Fury to put down his Twitter fingers and take the risk of stepping into the ring with one of the so‑called realists who will take on any challenge. 'We shook off the cobwebs and I can't wait to roll into 2026,' Joshua said. 'And if Tyson Fury's as serious as he thinks he is, and he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves and come and fight one of the realest fighters out there that will take on any challenge, step into the ring with me next.'

Fury has said he is happily retired but a return to the ring looks likely, and the two are expected to fight in separate bouts in early 2026 before headlining a mega‑event later in the year if all goes well. Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn added after the fight: 'We want the Tyson Fury fight. That's the biggest fight in boxing. Respect to Jake Paul, he did a great job. 2026, back to the real business. Tyson Fury and the world heavyweight championship.'

Joshua's overall record now sits at 29 wins and four defeats. Fury's record is 34 wins, two losses and a draw. Their knockouts stand at 26 vs 24.

The plan, tied to Riyadh Season, would bring two of boxing's biggest names back into the ring in the first half of 2026 before a potential joint headliner later that year, depending on how negotiations unfold and whether both fighters stay active. The schedule reflects a broader push by Saudi organizers to anchor marquee bouts in a period of intense global interest in heavyweight boxing, a trend that has persisted through recent years.

For Joshua, the win over Paul provided a timely return, after 18 months away, that he framed as a platform to once again pursue major challenges. For Fury, the public posturing around a forthcoming return continues to fuel speculation that a long-awaited unification bout could finally come to fruition if the champions can align on timing, venue, and terms. The boxing world will be watching closely as details emerge about dates, locations, and broadcast arrangements as 2026 approaches. The rivalry between the two former champions has persisted in nearly every press appearance and social post in recent years, and Friday's victory gave Joshua a renewed sense of momentum as talks accelerated toward a potential showdown next year.