Tyson Fury is entertaining the idea of stepping back 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 marquee event Joshua is set to make his own warm‑up appearance on July 25 in Riyadh, where he will face the relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga. Having emerged from a year‑long retirement just earlier this month, Fury is also weighing the benefits of a similar tune‑up fight, potentially scheduled for the same month. His long‑time promoter, Frank Warren, hinted to Sky Sports that Fury might opt for an additional contest, noting, "He may decide he wants to do another fight." Warren elaborated that Fury likes to stay active and maintain focus, especially when there isn’t yet a firm date locked in for the Joshua bout.
"Tyson wants to keep busy. He needs a clear boxing focus, and right now there’s no set date for the Joshua fight because Anthony is fighting in July," Warren explained.
The outcome of Joshua’s July 25 bout could have a direct impact on the feasibility of the Fury‑Joshua fight. If Joshua were to suffer an unexpected defeat to Prenga, it could jeopardise the heavyweight showdown.
Warren was candid about the stakes, saying, "We'll have to discuss that afterward. Let’s hope he doesn’t lose. If he can’t beat this guy, he won’t be able to beat Tyson, that’s for sure.
He has to go out and do the job." The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already packed with high‑profile events, and promoters are keen to lock in dates that maximise viewership and revenue. Streaming platforms such as NOW are offering contract‑free access to fights, while podcasts like Toe2Toe keep fans engaged with weekly analysis.
Highlight reels continue to draw massive audiences, underscoring the commercial appetite for heavyweight drama. Warren framed Joshua’s upcoming fight as a chance for the British champion to shake off any lingering doubts and mental hurdles stemming from the tragic car accident that claimed two of his close friends. "This fight is for him to win, to clear the cobwebs and address any mental issues that may have arisen from that terrible tragedy," Warren said.
Assuming Joshua secures a victory in Riyadh and Fury proceeds with his own warm‑up, the next step will be to nail down a date for the super‑fight. Industry insiders suggest an October or November timeframe would be logical, giving both fighters enough time to recover, train, and promote the event. Warren noted, "AJ’s fighting on July 25, he’ll need to get back into camp.
That’s the kind of schedule we’re looking at. Tyson would like to have it as soon as possible, maybe August or September, but October or November seems realistic." The venue remains under discussion, though Wembley Stadium in London appears to be a natural choice for a bout of this magnitude.
Warren expressed a preference for a UK location, saying, "We’d all love it in the UK, but we’ll see what the negotiations bring." He also downplayed any potential backstage drama regarding who would be billed as the A‑side, who would walk out first, or other contractual minutiae. "Those details will be sorted out, but honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. There will only be one winner," he affirmed, backing his fighter Fury.
Financial considerations are massive. Both athletes are set to earn staggering purses, and the event’s revenue will be driven by ticket sales, pay‑per‑view buys, and sponsorships, especially given the involvement of Saudi financiers. The Kingdom’s backing has already sparked speculation about ancillary entertainment, such as a possible performance by pop star Dua Lipa, a request reportedly coming from Saudi financier Turki Al‑Alshikh. Warren, however, dismissed this as a non‑issue, stating, "I doubt it will be a roadblock to the fight happening." In summary, the road to a Fury‑Joshua clash is shaping up to be a complex blend of strategic fight‑planning, promotional logistics, and high‑stakes negotiation.
Both camps are keen to keep the momentum going, avoid any hiccups, and deliver a bout that captures the imagination of boxing fans worldwide. Warren concluded on an optimistic note: "Hopefully there are no hiccups and we get it done. It’s the big fight, it’s finally on, and it will capture everybody’s imagination."