Promoter Frank Warren has revealed that Tyson Fury is likely to take part in a warm-up fight before his highly anticipated heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua later in 2026.
The long-awaited “Battle of Britain” clash between Fury and Joshua is currently being targeted for November, with discussions reportedly progressing for one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Warren explained that Fury wants to remain active rather than wait several months for the Joshua fight. The promoter said the former heavyweight champion is eager to keep momentum after returning from retirement earlier this year.
Fury recently made a successful comeback by defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov via unanimous decision in London after suffering back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Following the victory, Fury publicly called out Joshua and urged him to finally agree to the long-discussed contest.
Joshua is also expected to have a tune-up fight before meeting Fury. The former two-time heavyweight world champion is scheduled to face Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25.
Warren indicated that both fighters having interim bouts could help ensure they are fully prepared for the blockbuster showdown later in the year. However, another fight also increases the risk of injuries or unexpected setbacks that could once again delay the long-awaited contest.
The Fury-Joshua matchup has been discussed for nearly a decade but repeatedly collapsed due to contractual issues, mandatory title defenses and scheduling complications. Despite both fighters no longer holding world titles, the clash remains one of the biggest commercial events in boxing.
Recent reports suggest the fight could be streamed globally on Netflix as part of Riyadh Season, with Wembley Stadium among the possible venues under consideration.
Fans and boxing pundits continue to debate who would hold the advantage if the fight finally takes place, with Fury currently viewed by many bookmakers as a slight favourite over Joshua.
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