Pop superstar Dua Lipa has rejected an opportunity to perform at the championship fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury later this year, the BBC understands. The two British boxing fighters, aged 36 and 37 respectively, have agreed terms for a eagerly anticipated British-only showdown scheduled for the latter part of 2026, with Wembley Stadium in October put forward as organisers’ favoured location. The Grammy-winning singer, known for global hits including Levitating and Don’t Start Now, was contacted regarding performing at the event but declined the invitation. Her move comes after Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Al-Sheikh had suggested the fight might be at risk without her participation, though it is not clear whether the statement was intended seriously or made playfully.
The Failed Presentation
Musical acts by high-profile artists have become an ever-more sought-after addition at significant boxing competitions in recent times, with promoters eager to elevate the spectacle and attract larger crowds. The trend has seen some of the world’s biggest names take centre stage at major bouts, converting boxing events into grand entertainment productions that stretch well outside the ring itself. These performances have proven powerful in building excitement and attracting casual viewers who would not ordinarily tune in for boxing alone.
Dua Lipa’s choice to reject the Joshua-Fury offer differs from a number of recent prominent examples of artists performing at ringside performances. Rapper Eminem accompanied Terence Crawford throughout his welterweight championship fight against Errol Spence Jr., whilst Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher took the stage ahead of Daniel Dubois’ triumph against Anthony Joshua at Wembley in 2024. Most recently, 50 Cent performed during Chris Eubank Jr’s ringwalk for his second bout with Conor Benn, highlighting the sustained draw of star entertainers at the sport’s premier occasions.
- Eminem accompanied Terence Crawford at welterweight title fight
- Liam Gallagher performed before Dubois overcame Joshua at Wembley
- 50 Cent took part in Eubank Jr’s latest rematch walkout
- Musical performances now standard feature during big boxing matches
The Joshua-Fury Highly Anticipated Clash
The heavyweight contest between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury represents one of boxing’s most anticipated all-British contests, at last uniting two of the sport’s biggest names after more than a decade of unsuccessful efforts to organise a fight. Both fighters, now in their mid-to-late thirties, have agreed terms for the event, which is targeted for the end of 2026. Wembley Stadium in October has become organisers’ preferred venue, providing a fitting stage for what promises to be a career-defining encounter. Should the fight materialise as planned, both men are expected to earn career-high paydays, reflecting the financial scale of the occasion and the sustained fan interest for this specific contest.
The process to finally securing this bout has been fraught with complications and disappointments for boxing fans. Joshua, aged 36, and Fury, 37, have consumed nearly a decade moving around each other without actually entering the ring together. Previous negotiations fell through repeatedly, leaving supporters disappointed and doubtful about whether the fight would ever take place. Now, with both fighters ostensibly resolved and solid terms in place, there is real hope that this eagerly-anticipated showdown will eventually reach completion, providing the conclusive heavyweight contest that fans have yearned for over time.
The Route to the Ring
Before Joshua can meet Fury, he must first overcome a major obstacle in the form of his planned fight against Kristian Prenga on 25 July in Saudi Arabia. This fight serves as a important stepping stone, with Queensberry promoter Frank Warren warning that a loss for Joshua would almost certainly undermine any plans for a subsequent clash with the Gypsy King. The stakes could scarcely be greater for the previously unified champion, as a loss would jeopardise not only his near-term goals but possibly his overall legacy and earning potential at this point in his career.
Meanwhile, Fury has already started his return from retirement with a recent victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in recent weeks. The heavyweight titleholder is actively exploring taking another bout whilst awaiting Joshua’s outcome, keeping him sharp and competitive rather than sitting idle. This tactical strategy keeps Fury occupied and preserves his competitive sharpness, whilst also giving promoters flexibility in constructing the timeline for the Joshua clash once the former champion has successfully navigated his July commitment.
Entertainment at Boxing’s Premier Events
| Artist | Event | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Eminem | Terence Crawford vs Errol Spence Jr (Welterweight Championship) | 2024 |
| Liam Gallagher | Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua at Wembley | 2024 |
| 50 Cent | Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn (Rematch) | 2025 |
| Dua Lipa | Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury (Declined) | 2026 |
| Various Artists | Major Boxing Events (General Feature) | Recent Years |
Musical performances by prominent performers have become an growing central feature of major boxing events, elevating the spectacle and entertainment value of major fights. From rappers accompanying fighters to the ring to established rock frontmen providing opening show performances, promoters have acknowledged the commercial appeal of merging elite boxing with star-studded entertainment. These joint ventures attract broader audiences beyond dedicated boxing enthusiasts, transforming fights into complete entertainment packages. The trend shows the contemporary boxing sector’s movement towards producing complete spectacles that rival major sporting spectacles and concert events in their breadth and cultural importance.
What The Future Holds for the Title Fight
The road to a Joshua versus Fury clash stays contingent upon multiple key factors, most notably Joshua’s planned fight against Kristian Prenga on 25 July in Saudi Arabia. Should the former unified champion lose in that contest, promoter Frank Warren has made clear that the entire Fury showdown would probably be scuppered. This interim fight serves as a crucial litmus test, determining whether the long-awaited British heavyweight showdown can eventually take place after a ten years of unsuccessful bids to bring these two heavyweight champions together in the ring.
If both fighters are able to meet their individual obligations, organisers are pursuing a fixture at Wembley Stadium in October as the preferred venue for this momentous clash. The bout constitutes a potential career-pivotal juncture for both men, with significant financial gains on offer. A Joshua triumph over Prenga would pave the way for what promises to be one of boxing’s most significant domestic drillings in recent memory, delivering the blockbuster showdown British boxing fans have keenly desired for years.
- Joshua must overcome Kristian Prenga on 25 July to maintain the Fury fight prospect
- Wembley Stadium in October is the favoured setting for the heavyweight bout
- Both fighters stand to earn their biggest payouts should the bout go ahead as scheduled