The World Boxing Association (WBA), in London and Cardiff, on October 1, 2026, confirmed plans to sanction the December 11 bout between former heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury as a fight for its vacant “super” title, a controversial move that has reignited debate over championship legitimacy in boxing.
The Joshua vs Fury Super Title Fight is scheduled to take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, where both fighters will compete for the organisation’s top-tier belt despite the existence of a current WBA “regular” champion, Murat Gassiev.
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Gassiev had been elevated to regular champion status after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title in June and subsequently defended it with a stoppage victory over Peter Kadiru in July, creating an unusual situation where two champions could exist in the same division once again.
The WBA’s decision marks a reversal of its recent efforts to streamline titles and eliminate multiple champions across weight classes, a reform widely welcomed within the sport in recent years.
Both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury enter the bout following tune-up victories. Tyson Fury, who holds a record of 36 wins, two losses and one draw with 25 knockouts, secured wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach. Anthony Joshua, with 30 wins and four losses including 27 knockouts, recorded a second-round stoppage of Kristian Prenga despite being knocked down twice earlier in the fight.
Early betting markets have Tyson Fury as a slight favourite at -180, with Anthony Joshua at +150, reflecting expectations of a closely contested showdown between two of the sport’s biggest names.
Speaking ahead of the fight, IBF heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic criticised the sanctioning decision, questioning its sporting merit and fairness.
“That is a bad decision. They are both big superstars, but how are they fighting for a title? It is not good for the sport,” Filip Hrgovic said, highlighting growing concern among fighters about the credibility of multiple championship belts.
The Joshua vs Fury Super Title Fight has also drawn attention to broader governance issues in boxing, particularly around sanctioning bodies and their criteria for awarding titles, which critics argue can sometimes prioritise commercial appeal over competitive structure.
Promotional activities for the fight are already underway, with both fighters appearing at the official launch press conference at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London.
Tyson Fury has reportedly entered the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association testing pool, while Anthony Joshua has pushed for stricter year-round anti-doping provisions in the fight agreement.
Both fighters are seeking a return to the top of the heavyweight division after losing their previous titles to Oleksandr Usyk, with Anthony Joshua’s defeat coming in 2021 and Tyson Fury’s in 2024.
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As anticipation builds, the Joshua vs Fury Super Title Fight is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile boxing events of the year, combining global star power with a regulatory decision that continues to divide opinion across the sport.
