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 has been pencilled in for sometime before the close of 2026, but before that marquee event Joshua is set to have a warm‑up fight on July 25 in Riyadh.
Having ended a year‑long retirement and returned to competition earlier this month, Fury is also weighing the option of taking a tune‑up fight of his own, potentially in the same July window. His promoter, Frank Warren, told Sky Sports that the British heavyweight might decide to add another contest to his schedule. "He may decide he wants to do another fight," Warren said, adding that it would not come as a surprise.
"Tyson wants to stay active. He needs to keep his focus on boxing, and right now there is no fixed date for the Joshua fight because Anthony is fighting in July." The outcome of Joshua’s upcoming bout against the relatively unknown Albanian fighter Kristian Prenga could have a direct impact on the Fury‑Joshua showdown. Warren stressed that if Joshua were to lose, it would cast doubt on whether the super‑fight could proceed. "We’ll have to discuss that afterward.
Let’s hope he doesn’t lose," he remarked. "If he can’t beat this opponent, he certainly won’t be able to beat Tyson.
He has to go out and do a job." The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already buzzing with big‑ticket events, and the Fury‑Joshua clash is expected to be the centerpiece. Fans can stream fights and other content through platforms like NOW, while weekly podcasts such as Toe2Toe keep enthusiasts updated on the latest developments. Highlight reels and fight footage continue to draw massive viewership online. Warren also hinted that Joshua’s July fight serves as a springboard to clear any lingering doubts and perhaps address some of the mental strain the champion has endured after the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two close friends.
"This fight is for him to win, to shake off the cobwebs and any lingering mental issues from that terrible tragedy," Warren explained. "It’s about moving forward." Assuming Joshua emerges victorious and Fury decides to take his own warm‑up bout, the next step will be to lock in a date for the heavyweight super‑fight.
The consensus among insiders points to an autumn slot, most likely in October or November. Warren outlined a plausible timeline: "AJ fights on July 25, then he’ll need time to get back into camp.
That’s the sort of timescale we’re looking at. Tyson would prefer to have the fight as soon as possible, perhaps in August or September, but an autumn date seems realistic." The venue for the clash has not yet been confirmed, but Wembley Stadium in London emerges as a natural candidate for a bout of this magnitude.
"We’d all love to see it in the UK, but we’ll see what the negotiations bring," Warren said. He also dismissed concerns about logistical disputes over who would be the A‑side or B‑side, or which fighter would make the first entrance. "Those details will be sorted out, but honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. There can only be one winner," he added, firmly backing Fury.
Financially, the fight promises massive purses for both participants, with the potential for extravagant entrances and a huge box‑office draw, especially given the interest of Saudi investors who have pledged financing. There is even talk of a possible stipulation from Saudi backer Turki Al‑Alshikh that pop star Dua Lipa perform at the event. Warren, however, does not see this as a deal‑breaker. "I doubt it will cause any issues," he said.
In closing, Warren expressed optimism that the fight will proceed without major obstacles. "Hopefully there will be no hiccups and we’ll get it done. It’s the big fight, it’s finally on, and it will capture everyone’s imagination," he concluded. Meanwhile, boxing fans can catch other action on Sky Sports, such as the upcoming Chris Billam‑Smith versus Ryan Rozicki bout slated for Saturday, June 6.
The sport continues to generate excitement across the globe as promoters, fighters, and broadcasters work to deliver marquee events that resonate with audiences worldwide.