Tyson Fury is reportedly weighing the option of stepping into the ring for a preparatory bout before his highly anticipated showdown with Anthony Joshua later this year. The marquee heavyweight clash between Fury and AJ is slated to occur before the close of 2026, but the road to that encounter may involve an additional fight for both men. Joshua has already confirmed a warm‑up contest on July 25 in Riyadh, where he will face the relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga.
Fury, who made a comeback to professional boxing earlier this month after a year‑long hiatus, is also contemplating a similar tune‑up, potentially in the same month, to sharpen his skills and stay active. Frank Warren, the veteran promoter behind Fury, hinted at the possibility during a recent interview with Sky Sports, stating, "He may decide he wants to do another fight." Warren went on to explain that Fury’s desire to stay busy and maintain focus on his boxing career makes a warm‑up bout a logical step. "Tyson wants to keep busy. He needs a clear target in his life, and right now there’s no fixed date for the Joshua fight because AJ is fighting in July," Warren said.
The outcome of Joshua’s July 25 bout could have a direct impact on the Fury‑Joshua showdown. If Prenga were to pull off an upset, it would raise questions about whether the much‑talked‑about super‑fight can still move forward as planned.
Warren emphasized the stakes, noting, "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 has to go out and do a job." Beyond the immediate logistics, both fighters have personal narratives that add depth to the upcoming clash.
Fury’s recent return to the sport follows a turbulent period that included the tragic loss of two close friends in a car accident, an event that left a lingering emotional scar. Warren framed the potential warm‑up as an opportunity for Fury to shake off any lingering mental cobwebs, saying, "This fight is here for him to win and get all the cobwebs out and some of the mental problems that he may have, or not, from that terrible tragedy of losing his two friends in that car crash. So that's what it's all about." Assuming Joshua emerges victorious in Riyadh and Fury decides to take his own preparatory fight, the next step will be to lock in a date for the heavyweight super‑fight. Industry insiders suspect an October or November slot would be most feasible, allowing both men sufficient time to recover, train, and promote the event.
Warren outlined a possible timeline: "AJ's fighting on the 25th of July, he'll want to go back into camp, that's the sort of timescale. Tyson would prefer to do it as soon as possible. He'd prefer to do it in August/September." The venue for the showdown remains undecided, though Wembley Stadium in London emerges as a natural candidate given its capacity and historic significance for major boxing spectacles.
"We'd all like it in the UK but we'll see," Warren remarked, adding that the location will ultimately be determined by logistical considerations and the interests of the financiers. One area that could generate debate is the traditional hierarchy of A‑side versus B‑side, and who gets the privilege of walking to the ring first. Warren dismissed any potential friction, stating, "That's got to be all decided but I've got to be honest, for me, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest because, for me, there's only one winner." He emphasized that the financial rewards for both fighters are substantial, noting that the event’s success will hinge on ticket sales, broadcast deals, and the backing of Saudi investors who have shown a keen interest in financing high‑profile bouts.
Speaking of Saudi involvement, there is a curious side note: Turki Al‑Alshikh, the Saudi financier behind many of the region’s sporting ventures, has reportedly expressed a desire to have pop star Dua Lipa perform at the event. While this could add a glamorous touch to the night, Warren does not see it as a barrier to the fight taking place.
"I doubt it very much," he said, indicating that the primary focus will remain on the boxing itself. In summary, the path to a Fury‑Joshua clash appears to be taking shape, with both combatants likely to engage in warm‑up fights to fine‑tune their preparations. The July 25 bout in Riyadh will serve as a litmus test for Joshua’s readiness, while Fury’s potential July contest could provide him with valuable ring time after his recent comeback.
Once those preliminaries are settled, the heavyweight community can look forward to a blockbuster showdown later in the year, possibly at Wembley, with the promise of massive purses, global viewership, and a night of unforgettable boxing drama. The anticipation is building, and fans worldwide are eager to see how the narrative unfolds, hoping for a smooth road to what promises to be one of the sport’s biggest events in recent memory.