Tyson Fury is reportedly seeking an additional bout before his highly anticipated clash with Anthony Joshua, potentially adding a new hurdle to the long-awaited heavyweight showdown. The revelation came from Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, who confirmed that the Gypsy King is eager to stay active ahead of the autumn fight.
Fury's Desire for an Interim Fight
Warren told reporters, including The Independent: 'I think he will probably want to be doing something in between. Let's see. 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.' This statement follows similar comments from Fury's manager, Spencer Brown, who noted that Fury had been out of the ring for two years before his recent return and would benefit from a proper warm-up contest.
Contract Signed, But Details Unclear
This week, it was announced that Fury and Joshua had finally signed a contract to face each other. While the date and venue remain undisclosed, the fight is expected to take place in the UK during the autumn, potentially in November. Joshua is scheduled to box Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25, and Fury may follow suit with his own interim bout.
Fury, 37, last fought on April 11, easily outpointing Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. That victory marked his fifth comeback from retirement. Joshua, 36, was present ringside but declined to enter the ring for a post-fight face-off, preferring to wait until a formal agreement was in place.
Potential Risks and Concerns
While Joshua is expected to comfortably defeat the relatively unknown Prenga—who boasts a 20-1 record with 20 knockouts but has faced no notable opposition—the greater concern is the risk of injury for either fighter. Fury's desire for another bout could be seen as an additional obstacle, though any opponent he faces is likely to pose minimal threat. The long-awaited clash between the former heavyweight champions has been discussed for nearly a decade and was previously signed in 2021, only for Deontay Wilder to force a trilogy fight with Fury.
Warren added that if Fury fights in July, a warm-up bout would need to happen quickly to allow sufficient preparation for the Joshua fight. The boxing world now waits to see whether Fury will indeed step into the ring before the autumn showdown.
