Fury Joshua Fight Puts WBA Heavyweight Title in Dispute

The December 11 heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in Cardiff, Wales, is set to feature the WBA world championship, according to promoter Frank Warren. The announcement has raised questions about the status of Murat Gassiev, who believes he holds the organization's championship following Oleksandr Usyk's departure from the division's title picture.

Warren confirmed to Sky Sports News on October 12 that the WBA title would be contested at Principality Stadium. Both British fighters have previously held heavyweight world championships before losing their belts to Usyk.

The situation has become complicated because the WBA has recognized separate super and regular championship designations. Gassiev, who held the regular title after defeating Kubrat Pulev in December 2025, was reported to have been elevated to super champion in July after Usyk vacated the championship.

Warren, who promotes Fury, confirmed the planned championship status of the December bout.

"That is the case at the moment. That's going to be on the line," Warren told Sky Sports News.

He said the fight could help establish a clearer hierarchy in the heavyweight division following Usyk's departure from the title picture.

"Whoever wins that, they've got a version of the belt and the objective, after Usyk vacated all the belts, is to find out who's the best, who's going to hold all the belts, who's going to be the No 1 heavyweight. I'm sure Usyk will be back in next year as well. It's going to be really, really exciting times," Warren said.

Warren is also promoting the rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley for the WBO heavyweight title on Saturday. He hopes the winner of that contest will eventually meet the winner of Fury-Joshua, creating further opportunities for title unification in 2027.

"These guys are all looking to unify the titles and get involved in massive, massive fights in 2027. We made it at Queensberry [Promotions] our mantra to make these fights happen. We've got three of the four heavyweight champions on our roster and we're going to make unification fights next year," Warren said.

He also outlined his preference for the eventual matchup involving the December 11 winner.

"And it would be really, really good for the winner of Tyson and AJ to be involved in that. There are some fabulous fights to be made and the heavyweight division as I keep telling everybody is on fire. You've got some fabulous fights. [Dubois-Wardley] will set some big stuff up for the new year," Warren said.

Dubois, meanwhile, has made clear that he would welcome a fight against either Fury or Joshua after his contest with Wardley.

"If they feed me one of them [Fury or AJ], I'll fight them. Nice appetiser. I'm ready for whoever they throw at me after this," Dubois told Sky Sports News.

The WBO champion said he was also prepared to challenge the winner of the British rivals' showdown.

"I'll gladly take on the winner of that. I will stake my claim and take on the world, the belts and everything else that comes along with it," Dubois said.

Gassiev has expressed uncertainty about whether the WBA formally recognizes him as its super champion. Speaking to the BBC after contacting the organization, the 32-year-old said he had not received clear confirmation about the title's status.

"[The] WBA give me big surprise about my belt. But in press conference when AJ and Fury have face off, I see only Ring Magazine belt, no WBA belt," Gassiev said.

He added that he had no official documentation explaining whether the December fight would involve the championship he believes he holds.

"And to be honest right now, I don't have clear information about this situation. I don't know. Fight for 'super' belt, another belt, I don't know," Gassiev said.

Gassiev said he had checked his communications but had not received formal notice from the organization.

"I check my email. I don't have any messages, any papers, but I'm not manager, promoter [or] lawyer. I'm fighter. I do my job, that's it," he said.

In a separate interview with Sporf published October 9, Gassiev also addressed a potential fight with Derek Chisora, who had publicly challenged him. Gassiev described Chisora as a friend and said a contest could be considered if it made sense for both camps and boxing fans.

"Derek, always Derek, Derek, Derek. Derek is a great fighter and my friend. Right now, he's not in the WBA rankings, but everything changes fast.

If this fight is interesting for me, my team, and the boxing fans, why not? We can make this fight. But going forward, we need to fight in unifications," Gassiev said.

He also expressed disappointment over the announcement that Fury and Joshua would contest the WBA super title while his own championship status remained unclear.

"Right now, I don't have any news from the WBA. I woke up and found out the news that 'AJ' and Fury are fighting for the super title. I'm not angry, but I'm upset.

At the press conference, I didn't see the WBA title, just the Ring Magazine belt. I don't know what's next or what's happened. I think we need one or two weeks to fix this situation," Gassiev said.

The BBC reported that Gassiev remained listed as the WBA's reigning champion, with Fury ranked second behind American Jarrell Miller and Joshua third. The WBA recognizes its super champion as its full champion, while the regular titleholder is generally positioned as the leading contender.

Dubois has also questioned whether Fury and Joshua's meeting retains the same significance it might have had earlier in their careers. The heavyweight champion, who previously knocked out Joshua, nevertheless expects the contest to draw considerable attention.

"It doesn't seem like it has that same edge to it, if it happened years ago," Dubois said.

He acknowledged the long-awaited nature of the matchup despite his reservations about its timing.

"They missed the fire and the edge. But I am sure it will be a great fight regardless," Dubois said.