British heavyweight Anthony Joshua is targeting a blockbuster fight against Tyson Fury next summer, his promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed.

Hearn disclosed that he and Joshua are focusing on securing a deal for the long-awaited all-British heavyweight clash following positive talks with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority and head of Riyadh Season.

The Matchroom promoter posted a picture alongside Alalshikh after lengthy discussions in Riyadh, which covered various sports, including boxing.

Speaking to The Ring’s Louis Hart about the meeting, Hearn said the heavyweight battle between Joshua and Fury was high on the agenda.

“He wants to make AJ against Fury, that’s no secret,” Hearn said of Alalshikh. “He wants to make the biggest fights in the sport, and that is the biggest fight in boxing right now. We’ve got to agree our end and then it’s up to Turki whether he can get Fury in the ring.

“The best thing about these situations now is that it’s not me speaking to Frank Warren or Spencer Brown or Tyson Fury trying to do a deal. We just have to do our deal, and if Turki can make the fight, then it’s on. If he can’t, it’s not on.”

Hearn added that they have a clear plan for Joshua’s return to the ring.

“We are focusing on that side. We have a plan for AJ to get him back in the ring as soon as possible and then lead up to a huge fight against Tyson Fury in 2026. We will do our deal with Turki, and he will try to do his deal with Tyson Fury. Fingers crossed we can make it happen,” he stated.

Joshua recently dropped out of The Ring’s heavyweight rankings following a year of inactivity since his crushing fifth-round defeat to Daniel Dubois in September last year.

Fury, 37, has announced his retirement on multiple occasions, but Hearn remains convinced the Gypsy King could be tempted back with a lucrative offer to fight Joshua.

The two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua is already in camp preparing for his return.