The Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight has received another major development, with the World Boxing Association set to sanction the December 11 heavyweight showdown as a fight for its vacant “super” title.
Joshua and Fury are scheduled to meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, in one of the most anticipated heavyweight fights of the year. The bout is expected to be broadcast live on Netflix.
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury to Fight for WBA Title
The WBA plans to sanction the Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury contest for its vacant super heavyweight championship.
The decision means the winner could emerge with the WBA’s “super” title, although Murat Gassiev remains the organisation’s regular heavyweight champion.
Gassiev was elevated to the regular title after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt earlier this year. He subsequently defended it against Peter Kadiru.
The arrangement effectively creates two WBA heavyweight titleholders, with Joshua and Fury competing for the organisation’s vacant super championship.
Why Is the WBA Creating Another Title?
The WBA had previously indicated that it wanted to reduce the number of multiple champions within its divisions.
However, the organisation’s latest decision allows the Joshua vs Fury fight to carry major championship significance despite Gassiev holding the regular title.
The decision has already attracted criticism from some figures in boxing.
IBF heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic questioned why Joshua and Fury would be fighting for a title despite neither man currently holding a heavyweight championship. His comments were reported by Punch.
Joshua and Fury Are Former Heavyweight Champions
Both fighters have previously held world heavyweight titles.
Tyson Fury lost his championships to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, while Anthony Joshua’s most recent heavyweight title reign ended after his defeats by Usyk.
Despite no longer holding a major heavyweight belt, both remain among the biggest names in boxing and have built substantial careers at the highest level of the division.
The December fight will therefore bring together two former champions who have spent several years attempting to make the matchup happen.
Joshua and Fury Have Already Returned to the Ring
Both fighters have competed in tune-up fights during 2026 ahead of their scheduled meeting.
Fury recorded victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach, while Joshua defeated Kristian Prenga by second-round knockout.
Joshua’s win over Prenga came despite the British-Nigerian boxer being dropped twice early in the contest.
Those victories helped set the stage for the long-awaited meeting between the two former champions.
When Is Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury?
The Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight is scheduled for December 11, 2026, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
The fight was officially announced earlier in September after years of negotiations and failed attempts to put the two heavyweights in the same ring.
The latest WBA decision adds another major storyline to the December event, with a world title now expected to be involved.
Joshua vs Fury Moves Closer to December
The fight has already experienced several complications during its long buildup.
A dispute involving promoters briefly raised questions about the event after the fight was announced, but the scheduled December 11 contest remains the focus of the latest developments.
With the WBA now preparing to sanction the bout for its vacant super heavyweight title, attention will turn to the final preparations before Joshua and Fury meet in Cardiff.
For boxing fans, the December 11 fight will mark the first professional meeting between two of Britain’s most recognisable heavyweight names.