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WBA Uses Loophole Rule for Fury vs Joshua Heavyweight Title

World Boxing News has investigated the history of the WBA rule that has allowed a heavyweight title to be invented for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua. Fury and Joshua will fight on December 11 with the vacant WBA Super heavyweight…

By Phil Jay · World Boxing News

Published: Monday, 5 October 2026 at 11:16 AM

Key Things to Know

The WBA is using exceptional-circumstances rules to place its Super heavyweight title on Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua.
Neither Fury nor Joshua currently holds a world or lineal championship heading into the December 11 fight.
Murat Gassiev is the existing WBA World heavyweight champion, while Jarrell Miller is ranked number one.

The Story in 60 Seconds

World Boxing News reports that the WBA is using exceptional-circumstances provisions to sanction Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua for the vacant WBA Super heavyweight championship on December 11. Despite neither fighter currently holding a world or lineal title, the WBA's regulations permit the organization to suspend or modify its strict rules for bouts of recognized importance.

Phil Jay notes this marks an unprecedented scenario, as previous vacant Super title fights featured at least one reigning belt holder. Murat Gassiev remains recognized as the WBA World heavyweight champion, while Jarrell Miller holds the number-one contender ranking ahead of Fury and Joshua.

Read the full article on World Boxing News

WBA Uses Loophole Rule for Fury vs Joshua Heavyweight Title

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