Tyson Fury is reportedly entertaining the idea of stepping into the ring for a preparatory bout before his much‑anticipated showdown with Anthony Joshua later this year. The headline‑grabbing heavyweight showdown between Fury and AJ has been pencilled in for some time before the close of 2026, but the path to that marquee event may involve a couple of warm‑up contests for both fighters.
Joshua is already booked to face the relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh. That fight is being billed as a warm‑up for the British champion, giving him a chance to shake off any rust after his recent layoff and to test his form against a live opponent before the bigger challenge arrives. The outcome of that bout, however, could have a ripple effect on the timing and even the viability of the Fury‑Joshua clash.
If Prenga manages to pull off an upset, it would raise questions about Joshua’s readiness and could force promoters to rethink the scheduling of the super‑fight. Fury, who made a surprising return to professional boxing earlier this month after a year‑long retirement, is also weighing the possibility of a tune‑up fight, potentially in the same July window.
His long‑time promoter Frank Warren hinted to Sky Sports that Fury might decide to add another fight to his calendar, saying, "He may decide he wants to do another fight. It wouldn't surprise me. Tyson wants to keep busy.
He needs a clear focus on boxing, and a date helps with that." Warren added that at the moment there is no firm date for the Fury‑Joshua bout because Joshua’s July fight takes precedence. Warren was blunt about the stakes for Joshua: "We'll have to talk about that afterwards. Let's hope he doesn't lose. If he isn't going to beat this fellow, he isn't going to beat Tyson, that's for sure.
He's got to go out and do a job." The promoter emphasized that the July contest is essentially a litmus test for the British champion. A win would clear the path for the heavyweight showdown, while a loss could derail the entire plan or at least force a reshuffle of dates and venues. Assuming Joshua emerges victorious and Fury also completes a warm‑up fight, the next step will be to lock in a date for the super‑fight.
Industry insiders believe the bout would likely be slated for October or November, giving both fighters enough time to recover, train, and promote the event. Warren suggested that after his July 25 fight, Joshua would need to return to camp, which fits a timeline that would see the Fury‑Joshua clash in late summer or early autumn. "Tyson would prefer to do it as soon as possible," Warren said.
"He'd like to see it happen in August or September, but we have to accommodate Anthony's schedule as well." The venue for the fight has not yet been confirmed, but Wembley Stadium in London is emerging as a natural candidate given its capacity and historic significance for British boxing. "We'd all like it in the UK but we'll see," Warren remarked. He also downplayed any potential ego battles over who would be the A‑side or B‑side, who would walk out first, or other contractual minutiae. "For me, there’s only one winner," he said, underscoring his confidence in Fury’s ability to claim the prize.
Financial considerations are also a major factor. Both fighters are expected to command massive purses, and the event’s profitability will be heavily influenced by ticket sales, pay‑per‑view buys, and the involvement of Saudi financing. The Saudi Crown Prince’s sports investment arm has been keen to back high‑profile events, and their backing could help secure a venue like Wembley or another major stadium.
An unexpected twist in the negotiations is the rumored request from Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh that pop star Dua Lipa perform at the event. While such a stipulation might seem unusual for a boxing match, Warren dismissed it as a non‑issue, stating, "I doubt it very much will be a roadblock." In summary, the road to a Fury‑Joshua heavyweight clash appears to be taking shape through a series of strategic warm‑up fights. Joshua’s July 25 bout in Riyadh against Kristian Prenga will serve as a critical gauge of his readiness, while Fury is contemplating a similar tune‑up to stay sharp after his recent comeback.
If both fighters succeed in their respective preparatory matches, the super‑fight could be slated for the autumn months, potentially at Wembley Stadium, with Saudi backing providing the financial muscle needed for a truly global spectacle. Warren remains optimistic, concluding, "Hopefully there'll be no hiccups and we'll get it.
It's the big fight, it's finally on, and it'll capture everybody's imagination."