WBA World Title Confirmed for Fury vs Joshua on December 11

The Fury vs Joshua fight just got a whole lot bigger. Frank Warren has confirmed that the WBA 'super' heavyweight world title will be at stake when the two British rivals square off at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11, according to Sky Sports.

For both fighters, this is a shot at reclaiming heavyweight gold — and the stakes couldn't be higher.

A Title Neither Man Currently Holds

Here's the context that makes this fight even more loaded. Both Fury and Joshua previously held world titles before Oleksandr Usyk stripped them both. Now, with Usyk having vacated the WBA belt, the division's landscape has shifted dramatically — and the December showdown steps directly into that vacuum.

The move does come with a wrinkle. The WBA already had Murat Gassiev lined up as its 'regular' titlist, with many expecting him to be elevated to full champion status after Usyk's departure. That elevation now appears to be on hold, making it a surprise development on the sanctioning front.

If you've been following [the verbal sparring between these two](/ article/tyson-fury-and-anthony-joshua-spar-with-words-ahead-of-potential-showdown) leading up to the official confirmation, you know the animosity has been building for years. This fight has been a long time coming.

Warren's Master Plan

Promoter Frank Warren isn't just thinking about December — he's playing chess several moves ahead. Speaking about the broader picture, Warren made clear that unification is the endgame.

"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," Warren said. He added that Queensberry Promotions holds three of the four heavyweight champions on its roster, with unification bouts targeted for 2027.

Warren is also staging the Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley WBO heavyweight rematch this Saturday, and he's already eyeing a mega-fight between that winner and whichever man comes out on top in Cardiff. The pieces are being moved into place fast.

Dubois Is Already Calling His Shot

WBO champion Daniel Dubois isn't waiting around either. The unbeaten knockout artist told Sky Sports News he's ready for whoever emerges from the Fury-Joshua bout. "If they feed me one of them, I'll fight them. Nice appetiser," Dubois said. "I'll gladly take on the winner of that."

That's the kind of confidence that comes with holding a belt and a puncher's chance against anyone in the division.

Joshua's Road to Cardiff

For AJ, this fight represents the biggest moment of his career's second act. [His emotional comeback narrative](/ article/anthony-joshua-prepares-for-emotional-return-to-the-ring) has been well-documented, and after [rallying from adversity in previous outings](/ article/joshua-rallies-after-early-knockdowns-for-dramatic-comeback-win), he arrives in December with momentum and a point to prove.

The Cardiff showdown is no longer just a grudge match between two British heavyweights. With a legitimate world title belt now confirmed to be on the line, the winner walks away as a champion — and the mandatory frontrunner for every other piece of hardware floating around the division.

What's Next for the Division

Warren envisions a 2027 landscape where the heavyweight title picture finally gets sorted. Usyk is expected to return at some stage. Dubois holds the WBO strap. And now the Fury-Joshua winner adds the WBA 'super' belt to the equation.

"The heavyweight division, as I keep telling everybody, is on fire," Warren said — and it's hard to argue with that assessment right now.

December 11 in Cardiff. A world title. Two legends of British boxing. The countdown is on.

Related on Ni4o: Fury vs Joshua Needs 1am Start if Wembley Hosts the Fight · Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua Spar with Words Ahead of Potential Showdown · Anthony Joshua Prepares for Emotional Return to the Ring