Tyson Fury is 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 clash between the two heavyweight titans is slated to happen before the close of 2026, but before that, Joshua has already booked a warm‑up fight for July 25 in Riyadh. Having emerged from a year‑long retirement earlier this month, Fury is also weighing the option of taking his own tune‑up fight, possibly in the same July window. His promoter, Frank Warren, hinted at this possibility during a conversation with Sky Sports, saying, "He may decide he wants to do another fight." Warren added that such a move would make sense for Fury, who likes to stay active and keep his focus sharp.
"Tyson wants to keep busy. He needs a clear boxing schedule, and at the moment there isn’t a fixed date for the Joshua fight because AJ is fighting in July," Warren explained. The outcome of Joshua’s upcoming bout against the relatively unknown Albanian fighter Kristian Prenga could have a direct impact on the Fury‑Joshua matchup.
Warren warned, "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." In other words, a loss for Joshua would likely throw a wrench into the plans for the heavyweight super‑fight.
Assuming Joshua secures a victory and Fury decides to take a warm‑up fight of his own, the next step will be to lock in a date for the marquee event. Both camps are leaning toward an autumn slot, with October or November being the most probable windows. Warren noted that after Joshua’s July 25 fight, the British champion will need time to return to camp, which fits a timeline that could see the Fury‑Joshua showdown in August or September if Fury prefers an earlier date.
"AJ’s fighting on the 25th of July, he’ll want to go back into camp. That’s the sort of timescale," Warren said. "Tyson would prefer to do it as soon as possible – August or September would be ideal." The venue for the clash has yet to be confirmed, but Wembley Stadium in London is emerging as a natural candidate for an event of this magnitude. Warren expressed a desire to see the fight on home soil: "We’d all like it in the UK, but we’ll see." He also downplayed any potential drama over promotional hierarchy, ring‑walk order, or other logistical squabbles, stating, "It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest because, for me, there’s only one winner." His confidence reflects Fury’s status as his promoter’s flagship fighter.
Financial considerations are also front‑and‑center. Both fighters are set to earn massive purses, and the event’s revenue will be driven by ticket sales, pay‑per‑view buys, and the backing of Saudi investors who have shown a keen interest in financing high‑profile boxing spectacles.
Warren emphasized that the fight’s success will hinge on its box‑office appeal and the global demand for a heavyweight showdown. An unexpected twist could come from Saudi financier Turki Al‑Alshikh, who has reportedly suggested that pop star Dua Lipa perform at the event. While such a stipulation might seem unusual for a boxing match, Warren does not view it as a deal‑breaker. "I doubt it very much," he said, indicating that the performance request is unlikely to derail the fight’s organization.
Warren concluded on an optimistic note, hoping that the path to the bout remains smooth: "Hopefully there’s going to be no hiccups and we’ll get it. It’s the big fight. It’s finally on and it’ll capture everybody’s imagination." In summary, Fury is keeping his options open for a July warm‑up fight, while Joshua prepares for his own July 25 contest in Riyadh.
The outcome of Joshua’s bout will be a key factor in confirming the heavyweight clash, which is expected to take place in the autumn months, possibly at Wembley. With both fighters eager to stay active, promoters focused on logistics, and Saudi backing providing financial muscle, the stage is being set for what could become one of the most talked‑about heavyweight battles in recent memory.
Fans can also look forward to other boxing events on the horizon, such as the Chris Billam‑Smith versus Ryan Rozicki matchup, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Saturday, June 6. This broader schedule underscores a busy and exciting period for the sport as it builds momentum toward the Fury‑Joshua showdown.