Tyson Fury is reportedly weighing the option of stepping into the ring for a preparatory bout before his highly anticipated clash with Anthony Joshua later this year. The much‑talked‑about Fury‑vs‑Joshua encounter is slated to happen before the close of 2026, but before that marquee event, Joshua is set to have his own warm‑up fight on July 25 in Riyadh. Having made his comeback to professional boxing earlier this month after a year‑long hiatus, Fury is also contemplating a similar warm‑up engagement, possibly also in July.
His long‑time promoter, Frank Warren, told Sky Sports that the heavyweight champion "may decide he wants to do another fight" and added that such a move would not come as a surprise. "Tyson likes to stay active," Warren explained. "He needs a clear focus on his boxing career, and a fight date gives him that. Right now there isn’t a fixed date for the Joshua showdown because Anthony is booked for July." The outcome of Joshua’s summer bout against the relatively unknown Albanian fighter Kristian Prenga could have a direct impact on whether the Fury‑Joshua fight proceeds as planned.
Warren warned that a loss for Joshua would raise questions about the viability of the super‑fight. "We’ll have to reassess after that match.
Let’s hope he wins," he said. "If he can’t beat Prenga, it’s hard to see him beating Tyson.
He needs to go out and prove himself." Assuming Joshua emerges victorious and Fury also secures a tune‑up, the next step will be to lock in a date for the heavyweight mega‑event. The consensus among insiders points to an October or November timeframe. Warren elaborated: "AJ fights on July 25, then he’ll need a training camp.
That’s the typical schedule. Tyson, on the other hand, would like to get the fight done as soon as possible – ideally August or September." The venue for the bout has not yet been finalized, but Wembley Stadium in London is being floated as a logical choice given its capacity and historic significance for British boxing. "We’d love to see it in the UK, but we’ll see what the negotiations bring," Warren remarked.
He also downplayed any potential drama over promotional hierarchy – whether one fighter would be billed as the A‑side or B‑side, or who would get the first walk‑out. "In the end there’s only one winner, and that’s all that matters to me," he said, firmly backing Fury.
Financially, the fight promises massive payouts for both combatants, with the potential for record‑breaking purses driven by box‑office demand and the backing of Saudi investors. Warren highlighted the role of Saudi financing in making the event possible, noting that the money involved could allow the fighters to "skip in, do cartwheels into the ring" without worrying about the usual logistical hurdles.
One unexpected twist that has surfaced is a request from Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh for pop star Dua Lipa to perform at the event. While such a stipulation could complicate planning, Warren expressed confidence that it would not derail the fight.
"I doubt it will be an issue," he said. Overall, Warren remains optimistic that the Fury‑Joshua showdown will materialize without major setbacks.
"Hopefully there are no hiccups and we can get it done. It’s the big fight that everyone has been waiting for, and it will capture the imagination of fans worldwide," he concluded. In the broader context of the 2026 boxing calendar, this heavyweight clash is expected to be the centerpiece, drawing attention not only from traditional boxing audiences but also from mainstream sports media and casual viewers alike. The combination of two charismatic British heavyweights, the involvement of high‑profile promoters, and the financial muscle of Saudi backers creates a perfect storm for a historic event.
Meanwhile, fans can also look forward to other notable fights slated for the year, such as the Chris Billam‑Smith versus Ryan Rozicki matchup, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Saturday, June 6. As the heavyweight division continues to build momentum, the potential warm‑up fights for both Fury and Joshua serve as a reminder that preparation and timing are as crucial as the headline bout itself. Should everything fall into place, the Fury‑Joshua fight could become a defining moment for the sport, echoing the legendary clashes of past eras while ushering in a new chapter for heavyweight boxing.
The anticipation is palpable, and the boxing world watches closely as the negotiations, training camps, and possible preliminary bouts progress toward what promises to be an unforgettable showdown.