Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury has reportedly moved from negotiations to signed contracts for Nov. 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The WBC is also prepared to approve the fight as a final eliminator for heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel.
BoxingScene posted that both former champions have signed for the New York date. The development follows Joshua’s second-round knockout of Kristian Prenga and Fury’s seven-round win over Mariusz Wach.
FURY VS AJ SIGNED✍️
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have signed contracts to fight on November 20 at New York’s Madison Square Garden🏟️
Credit: @DailyMail pic.twitter.com/DSqbdOZi4r
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) August 18, 2026
WBC Ready To Make Joshua-Fury A Final Eliminator
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said the sanctioning body would support placing mandatory-challenger stakes on the fight. Asked about Joshua-Fury becoming a final eliminator, Sulaiman answered:
“That would be sensational.”
Sulaiman then explained why Fury’s current ranking makes the proposal possible:
“The WBC would absolutely approve that as a final eliminator, because Tyson Fury is the No. 1 contender of the division, and the WBC absolutely would be proud to be part of that promotion.”
He also praised both fighters and described Fury’s longstanding relationship with the organization:
“Both fighters are tremendous. Tyson Fury is one of the greatest ambassadors ever of the WBC. We are so proud. He is very friendly, very kind, inside and outside of the ring.”
Sulaiman Revisits Joshua’s Earlier WBC Path
Joshua has held the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles but has never owned the WBC belt. Sulaiman recalled Joshua’s place in the WBC rankings before the Briton accepted his first IBF championship fight against Charles Martin in 2016.
“Anthony Joshua, he was the first ranked by the WBC when he started boxing. He was number two contender of the WBC when he had the opportunity from the IBF [to fight Charles Martin].”
“He had to go the other way, and he was the WBC International Champion for several years, but that’s the way boxing is.”
Sulaiman closed by connecting Joshua’s earlier WBC history with the proposed eliminator:
“Maybe this will be the time to bring Anthony Joshua to the WBC.”
Agit Kabayel Awaits The Winner
Kabayel became the WBC heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt. If the organization formally sanctions Joshua-Fury as a final eliminator, the winner would move into position for a title fight with Kabayel.
The reported signed deal also answers part of the uncertainty surrounding a fight discussed for years. Dana White recently said he doubted Joshua-Fury would happen; the new contract report and the WBC’s support now point toward a defined date, venue and championship route.
