Frank Warren has revealed that Tyson Fury is requesting another warm-up fight before stepping into the ring with long-standing rival Anthony Joshua. Fury ended a 14-month hiatus earlier this month by beating Arslanbek Makhmudov on points at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, after which he exchanged verbal insults with a ringside Joshua.
The exchange heightened anticipation for a domestic showdown that has been years in the making. This week, Joshua signed a contract to finally face Fury, but a new potential obstacle has emerged.
Joshua is already scheduled for a tune-up bout on July 25 against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga. Queensberry promoter Frank Warren previously suggested that fight could "kill" any contest with Fury later in 2026 if an upset occurred.
Now, Warren has confirmed that Fury also intends to step back in the ring before facing Joshua, casting further doubt on the bout and increasing the risk of injury for either British heavyweight.
"I think he will probably want to be doing something in between, let's see," Warren said. "AJ has got his fight. Tyson, I'm quite sure, will have a fight in between. That's what he's asking for and we'll see where we go from there."
The development adds another layer of uncertainty to one of the most anticipated fights in British boxing history, with fans now left wondering whether the Battle of Britain will indeed take place later this year.
