Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua in the stands at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday April 11, 2026. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images Boxing promoters were hoping to (finally) book a headliner between former champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, two of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing over the last decade. But Fury was coming off a second retirement layoff and Joshua was recovering from a horrific car wreck overseas, leaving both pugilists in need of the “sweet science” oil can. Fury drew Mariusz Wach in Thailand while Joshua pulled Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia. Fury was able to dispatch Wach with relative ease, but Joshua was nearly stopped in the opening frame before battling back to win by second-round knockout. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should be full steam ahead for the Fury vs. Joshua fight later this year, or perhaps early 2027, depending on how much time each combatant needs to recover. It appears the Prenga scare did little to influence the betting line, as Fury, 37, remains only a slight favorite over Joshua. “The Gypsy King” (36-2-1, 25 KOs) is sitting at -165 against +128 for the 36-year-old “AJ” (30-4, 27 KOs), according to BetOnline.ag. I would expect that number to fluctuate once the bout becomes official and the money starts trickling in for both fighters. “In Tottenham in front of 70,000 people, [Joshua] never had the guts to get in the ring and face me,” Fury said after his victory over Wach. “Let’s see if he ever does. I’m not convinced. Hopefully the next big fight is signed next week.” For more boxing news and notes click here.