WBA Approves Joshua vs Fury for Vacant Heavyweight Title

The World Boxing Association will allow Tyson Fury to fight Anthony Joshua for its vacant "super" heavyweight title. This match is set for December 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. This comes even though Murat Gassiev is the current regular titleholder.

By allowing this fight, the WBA will have two heavyweight titleholders. Gassiev got this title after Oleksandr Usyk gave it up in June. He defended it successfully with a stoppage win over Peter Kadiru in July.

This decision goes against the WBA’s recent plan to reduce the number of champions in one weight class.

Fury and Joshua both come into this fight off wins this year. Fury won by decision against Arslanbek Makhmudov and scored a stoppage against Mariusz Wach. Joshua knocked out Kristian Prenga in the second round, even after being knocked down twice early in that match.

Fury is currently the favorite at -180, while Joshua is at +150.

In the WBA rankings, Fury is second and Joshua is third. Jarell Miller is the mandatory challenger for Gassiev and holds the number one spot.

The fight is now entering the final promotional phase. Both fighters showed up on Wednesday at London’s Olympia Exhibition Centre for the official launch press conference.

Fury has a record of 36 wins, two losses, and one draw, with 25 knockouts. He has also reportedly joined the VADA testing pool. Joshua has a record of 30 wins and four losses, with 27 knockouts. He has called for year-round anti-doping rules in their agreement.

Both Fury and Joshua were heavyweight champions in the past. Fury lost his titles to Usyk in 2024, and Joshua lost his to Usyk in 2021.

The WBA’s decision has drawn criticism. Newly crowned IBF heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic called the sanctioning of this fight unfair.

"That is funny, man. It is a bulls*** decision. I do not know where and how they found a belt for that kind of fight. Who did they fight in their last fights?"

"They are both big superstars, but how are they fighting for a title? Where did that come from? It is not good for the sport. Because of these funny decisions, people do not consider boxing a serious sport," Hrgovic said.