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 much‑talked‑about Fury‑vs‑Joshua encounter is slated to happen before the close of 2026, but the road to that marquee event may include a few extra stops for both competitors.
Joshua has already confirmed a warm‑up fight on 25 July in Riyadh, where he will face the relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga. This match is intended to give the British heavyweight a final test before the big night against Fury. Meanwhile, Fury, who made a comeback to professional boxing earlier this month after a year‑long retirement, is also contemplating a similar tune‑up, possibly scheduled for July as well.
Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, hinted at the possibility during an interview with Sky Sports, stating, "He may decide he wants to do another fight." Warren elaborated, "It wouldn't surprise me. Tyson wants to stay active.
He needs a clear focus in his boxing career, and having a date helps with that. At the moment there isn’t a fixed date for the Joshua fight because Anthony is booked for July." Warren also warned that Joshua’s performance against Prenga could have a direct impact on the Fury‑Joshua bout moving forward. "We'll have to talk about that afterwards. Let's hope he doesn't lose," he said.
"If he can't beat this opponent, it's unlikely he'll be able to take on Tyson. He needs to go out and do a job." The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already filling up with several high‑profile events, and fans are eager to see how the heavyweight landscape will shape up. Streaming platforms like NOW are offering contract‑free access to many of these fights, while podcasts such as Toe2Toe provide weekly analysis and commentary. The sport’s highlight reels continue to draw massive viewership, underscoring the public’s appetite for heavyweight drama.
Warren described Joshua’s upcoming fight as a chance for the British champion to clear any lingering doubts and shake off the mental baggage from the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two of his close friends. "This fight is for him to win, to get rid of any cobwebs and mental hurdles that may still be there after that terrible tragedy," Warren explained. "That's what it’s all about." Assuming Joshua emerges victorious and Fury decides to take his own warm‑up, the next step will be to lock in a date for the super‑fight.
The most likely window appears to be October or November, giving both fighters enough time to recover, train, and promote the bout. "AJ's fighting on the 25th of July, he'll need to go back into camp after that, so that's the sort of timeline we’re looking at," Warren said.
"Tyson would prefer to have it as soon as possible, maybe August or September, but October/November seems realistic." The venue for the clash has yet to be finalized, though Wembley Stadium in London is being floated as a natural choice for an event of this magnitude. "We’d all love to see it in the UK, but we’ll see what the negotiations bring," Warren added. He also downplayed any potential disputes over promotional hierarchy—whether one fighter would be billed as the A‑side or who would walk to the ring first.
"Those details will be sorted out, but honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. There’s only one winner in the end," he affirmed, backing his client Fury.
Financial considerations are also a major factor. Both fighters are expected to earn substantial purses, and the event’s revenue will be driven by ticket sales, pay‑per‑view buys, and sponsorships, especially given the involvement of Saudi investors. The Saudi finance minister Turki Al‑Alshikh has reportedly expressed interest in having pop star Dua Lipa perform at the event, adding a potential entertainment element.
However, Warren does not see this as a barrier to the fight materializing. "I doubt it will cause any issues," he said. In summary, the path to a Fury‑Joshua showdown appears to be shaping up with several moving pieces: Joshua’s July bout in Riyadh, a possible Fury warm‑up fight, negotiations over date and venue, and the financial backing of Saudi interests. Warren remains optimistic that no major hiccups will arise.
"Hopefully there’s going to 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 concluded. Boxing enthusiasts can also look forward to other marquee matchups, such as the upcoming Chris Billam‑Smith versus Ryan Rozicki clash, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Saturday, 6 June.
This event, along with the anticipated heavyweight super‑fight, promises an exciting summer for fans of the sweet science.