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‑versus‑Joshua heavyweight duel is slated to happen before the close of 2026, but before that marquee event, Joshua has already confirmed a warm‑up fight set for July 25 in Riyadh, where he will face the relatively unknown Albanian contender Kristian Prenga. Having emerged from a year‑long retirement earlier this month, Fury is also contemplating a similar warm‑up engagement, potentially in the same month of July. His long‑time promoter Frank Warren hinted at this 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 busy. He needs a clear focus on boxing, and a date helps with that. Right now there is no firm date for the Joshua fight because, of course, AJ is fighting in July." The outcome of Joshua's July bout could have a direct impact on the feasibility of the Fury‑Joshua clash.
If Joshua were to suffer an unexpected defeat to Prenga, it would raise questions about whether the much‑larger fight would still make commercial sense. Warren emphasized the stakes, saying, "We'll have to discuss that afterwards. Let's hope he doesn't lose.
If he can't beat this opponent, he certainly won't be able to beat Tyson. He needs to go out and do the job." The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already buzzing with speculation about when the biggest fights will land. Streaming platforms such as NOW are promoting contract‑free access to upcoming bouts, while podcasts like Toe2Toe continue to dissect the sport week after week. Fans can also look forward to a steady stream of highlights and video content that keep the excitement alive.
Warren painted a larger picture for Joshua's preparation, noting that a victory would serve multiple purposes beyond just advancing his record. "This fight is for him to win and shake off any lingering doubts, as well as any mental baggage that might still be haunting him after the tragic car accident that claimed two of his close friends," he said.
"It's about clearing the cobwebs and moving forward with confidence." Assuming Joshua emerges victorious and Fury decides to take his own tune‑up fight, the next step will be to lock in a date for the heavyweight super‑fight. The consensus among insiders points to an October or November timeframe, allowing both fighters ample time to recover, train, and promote the event. Warren explained, "AJ fights on July 25, then he'll need to get back into camp.
That's the sort of timeline we're looking at. Tyson would like to get it done as soon as possible, ideally in August or September." The venue for the clash has yet to be finalized, but Wembley Stadium in London emerges as a natural candidate given its capacity and historic significance for major boxing events. "We’d all love to see it in the UK, but we’ll see what the negotiations bring," Warren remarked, adding that the logistics of who is the A‑side or B‑side, the order of ring walks, and other contractual details will need to be ironed out.
However, he downplayed any potential drama, stating, "For me it doesn’t matter who walks first; there’s only one winner in the end." Financial considerations also play a huge role. Both fighters are expected to command massive purses, and the event’s profitability will hinge on ticket sales, pay‑per‑view buys, and sponsorships—particularly the involvement of Saudi investors who have shown keen interest in financing high‑profile bouts. Warren highlighted that the money involved is substantial enough that the athletes could practically "skip into the ring doing cartwheels," underscoring the commercial magnitude of the fight.
One unexpected twist that has surfaced is a rumored stipulation from Saudi financier Turki Al‑Alshikh, who allegedly wants pop star Dua Lipa to perform at the event. While such a request could add a glamorous layer to the spectacle, Warren expressed skepticism that it would derail the core boxing arrangement. "I doubt it very much," he said, indicating that the primary focus remains on getting the fight on the card. In closing, Warren voiced optimism that the path to the Fury‑Joshua showdown will be smooth.
"Hopefully there’ll be no hiccups and we’ll get it done. It’s the big fight, it’s finally on the horizon, and it will capture everyone’s imagination," he said. Fans eager to see more action can also tune into other upcoming fights, such as the Chris Billam‑Smith versus Ryan Rozicki bout, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Saturday, June 6. This event, along with the anticipated warm‑up matches and the eventual heavyweight clash, promises to keep the boxing world buzzing well into the latter half of the year.