Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could have even more at stake when they finally meet, with the winner potentially earning an opportunity to fight for a heavyweight world championship.

The long-awaited all-British showdown has gained fresh significance after WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman indicated that the bout could be sanctioned as a final eliminator for a world title challenge.

The proposed arrangement would give the winner a pathway to another heavyweight championship, adding a major competitive incentive to a fight that has been one of boxing’s most anticipated matchups for years.

Fury and Joshua are both former two-time heavyweight world champions. A victory in their expected encounter could therefore put either fighter in position to claim a world title for a third time.

The WBC is reportedly interested in backing the contest, particularly because Fury remains highly ranked by the organisation. Joshua has also previously held the WBC heavyweight championship, making the potential title implications significant for both fighters.

The clash is expected to take place later in 2026, although the exact date and venue have yet to be formally confirmed. Reports have suggested November as a possible timeframe, with Netflix set to broadcast the highly anticipated bout.

The choice of venue remains one of the issues surrounding the fight. While there has been interest in staging the event in the United States, particularly at Madison Square Garden, Joshua’s contractual arrangements reportedly favour a contest in the United Kingdom.

Regardless of where the fight takes place, the prospect of a world-title opportunity could make the encounter even more important for both heavyweights.

For Fury and Joshua, the proposed pathway to another championship would transform an already lucrative rivalry into a potentially career-defining contest, with the winner moving closer to another shot at heavyweight supremacy.