Update on Tyson Fury’s warm-up opponent comes just before the big fight with Anthony Joshua
Tyson Fury’s promoter and Queensberry boss Frank Warren has shared an update about Fury’s possible warm-up fight before his big match against Anthony Joshua in 2026.
Fury made a strong comeback in April, winning by unanimous decision against Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This was after a 16-month break. The win sparked some heated words between Fury and Joshua, who was watching ringside.
Since then, both Warren and Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn have confirmed that Fury and Joshua have signed a contract for a huge all-British fight set for late 2026. However, the exact date and place are still not decided.
Before fighting Fury, Joshua will take on lesser-known Albanian fighter Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25. Joshua hasn’t fought since beating Jake Paul in December, shortly before a serious car accident that sadly took the lives of his two friends.
Warren mentioned that Fury might have a tune-up fight to stay sharp before facing Joshua. Last week, Andy Ruiz Jr., who has fought Joshua twice before, said Fury had reached out to him for a fight. But Warren quickly denied this, saying Fury won’t be fighting Ruiz.
In an interview with The Sun, Warren said, “Tyson wants to fight – he’s very clear about that. He doesn’t want to wait until November because that would mean a break of about seven or eight months. He wants to avoid being rusty but won’t be fighting Andy Ruiz. There’s a very good chance he’ll fight before the Joshua bout.”
Right now, there’s talk of Fury having a fight in August.
Fury’s record stands at 35 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws, with both losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua has won 29 of his 33 professional fights, with his losses to Usyk (twice), Daniel Dubois, and Ruiz Jr.