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‑AJ showdown is slated to occur before the close of 2026, but before that marquee event, Joshua has already booked a warm‑up fight on July 25 in Riyadh. Having come out of a year‑long retirement earlier this month, Fury is also contemplating a similar tune‑up, potentially in the same month.
His long‑time promoter Frank Warren hinted to Sky Sports that the former heavyweight champion might decide to add another fight to his schedule. "He may decide he wants to do another fight," Warren said, adding that it would not be surprising given Fury’s desire to stay active. "Tyson wants to keep busy.
He needs a clear focus on boxing, and right now there’s no set date for the Joshua fight because AJ is fighting in July." The outcome of Joshua’s upcoming bout against the relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga could have a direct impact on the Fury‑Joshua matchup. Warren stressed the importance of Joshua securing a win: "We'll have to talk about that afterwards. Let’s hope he doesn’t lose.
If he can’t beat this guy, he certainly won’t be able to beat Tyson. He has to go out and do a job." Should Joshua emerge victorious and Fury also complete a warm‑up fight, the two heavyweights will still need to lock in a date for their super‑fight. Industry insiders suspect the bout could be penciled in for October or November, giving both fighters enough time to recover and train. Warren explained the timing logic: "AJ’s fighting on the 25th of July, he’ll want to go back into camp.
That’s the sort of timescale we’re looking at. Tyson would prefer to do it as soon as possible, ideally in August or September." The venue for the clash remains undecided, though Wembley Stadium in London appears to be a logical 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 be confirmed once negotiations are finalized.
He also dismissed concerns about potential disputes over promotional hierarchy—who would be billed as the A‑side, who would walk out first, and so on—stating that, in his view, those details are secondary to the fact that there will be only one winner. "The money they’re getting paid, they can skip in, do cartwheels into the ring. They’re receiving huge purses for this.
It’s all about box office and demand, especially with Saudi financing backing the event," Warren added. An unexpected twist could arise from the Saudi backer Turki Al‑Alshikh, who has reportedly expressed interest in having pop star Dua Lipa perform at the event. While such a stipulation might seem unusual for a boxing match, Warren does not believe it will derail the fight’s planning.
"I doubt it very much," he said, indicating that entertainment elements are unlikely to become a roadblock. Both fighters have faced personal challenges that make this upcoming fight more than just a sporting contest. Fury, for instance, has spoken about the emotional toll of losing two close friends in a tragic car accident, suggesting that a victory could help him clear mental cobwebs and regain confidence. Meanwhile, Joshua is looking to cement his status as the premier heavyweight after a series of high‑profile victories, and a win over Prenga would solidify his claim to a title shot.
The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is packed with big names and major events, and the Fury‑Joshua bout is expected to be one of the headline attractions. Fans can look forward to a night of high‑stakes action, potentially broadcast through platforms offering contract‑free streaming, such as NOW, and accompanied by podcasts like Toe2Toe that dissect every angle of the sport. In summary, while the exact details are still being hammered out, the consensus among promoters and analysts is that a Fury‑Joshua showdown is inevitable and will capture worldwide attention.
Both fighters are likely to stay active with warm‑up fights—Fury possibly in July, Joshua already booked for Riyadh—before converging later in the year for a heavyweight clash that could define the era. Warren remains optimistic that no major hiccups will arise and that the fight will proceed as planned, delivering the spectacle that boxing fans have been yearning for.