Tyson Fury is reportedly entertaining the idea of stepping back 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 has been penciled in for some time before the close of 2026, but before that can happen Joshua is set to have a warm‑up fight on July 25 in Riyadh. Having ended a year‑long retirement earlier this month, Fury is also weighing the option of taking his own tune‑up fight, potentially in the same month. His long‑time promoter, Frank Warren, hinted at the possibility in a recent interview with Sky Sports, saying, "He may decide he wants to do another fight." Warren went on to explain that Fury likes to stay active and that a fight would give him a clear focus as he prepares for the big payday.
"Tyson wants to keep busy. He needs a date in his boxing calendar, and right now there is no confirmed date for the Joshua fight because Anthony is fighting in July," Warren added. The outcome of Joshua's upcoming bout could have a direct impact on the Fury‑Joshua deal.
Joshua is slated to face the relatively unknown Albanian fighter Kristian Prenga, and a loss would raise questions about whether the much‑talked‑about super‑fight can still move forward. "We'll have to talk about that afterwards. Let's hope he doesn't lose," Warren said.
"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." Assuming Joshua emerges victorious and Fury decides to take a warm‑up fight of his own, the two camps will still need to lock in a date for the heavyweight extravaganza. Industry insiders suspect the bout could be slated for October or November, giving both fighters ample time to recover from their July engagements and return to training camps. "AJ’s fighting on the 25th of July, he’ll want to go back into camp, that’s the sort of timescale," Warren explained.
"Tyson would prefer to do it as soon as possible – ideally in August or September." The venue for the showdown has not yet been finalized, but Wembley Stadium in London is being floated as a natural choice for an event of this magnitude. "We’d all like it in the UK, but we’ll see," Warren said, noting that the location will ultimately depend on logistics, broadcasting deals and the interests of the Saudi backers who are financing the fight. Warren also dismissed any potential drama over fight‑card hierarchy, such as who will be billed as the A‑side or who will make the first entrance. "That’s all to be decided, but honestly it doesn’t matter to me because there can only be one winner," he remarked, backing his client Fury.
Financially, both men stand to earn massive purses, and the event is expected to generate a huge box‑office draw, especially with the involvement of Saudi Prince Turki Al‑Alshikh, who has been instrumental in funding the bout. There have even been rumors that the Prince wants pop star Dua Lipa to perform at the event, a stipulation that Warren believes will not derail the fight’s planning. "I doubt it very much," he said.
Warren concluded on an optimistic note, hoping that no unforeseen obstacles will arise. "Hopefully there’ll be no hiccups and we’ll get it done.
It’s the big fight, it’s finally on and it will capture everybody’s imagination," he said. Beyond the immediate logistics, Fury’s potential warm‑up fight could serve several purposes. After a year away from the sport, stepping back into competition would allow him to test his conditioning, sharpen his timing and address any lingering mental hurdles stemming from the tragic loss of two close friends in a car accident years ago. "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," Warren explained. If Fury does decide to fight in July, the opponent is likely to be a seasoned journeyman who can provide a solid challenge without jeopardizing his preparation for the Joshua fight. Such a bout would also keep Fury in the public eye, maintaining momentum and fan interest as the countdown to the super‑fight continues.
In summary, the heavyweight landscape is shaping up for an exciting summer of action. Joshua’s July 25 fight in Riyadh will be a key indicator of his form heading into a potential clash with Fury. Meanwhile, Fury’s own warm‑up plans remain under discussion, with his promoter indicating that a July or early August bout could be on the cards. The ultimate date, venue and undercard will be confirmed in the coming months, but the consensus among promoters and analysts is that a UK venue like Wembley, a fall timeframe and a spectacular production backed by Saudi financing are the most likely scenario.
Fans worldwide can look forward to what promises to be one of the biggest heavyweight events of the decade, provided both fighters stay healthy and the negotiations stay on track.