Tyson Fury has his eye on a potential fight with Fabio Wardley later in 2026, though it won’t be what he does upon return in April.
The 37-year-old Fury (34-2-1, 24 KO) is ending his latest “retirement” this spring, and will fight for the first time since his December 2024 rematch loss to Oleksandr Usyk. Arslanbek Makhmudov
has been mentioned as a potential return opponent, but WBO titleholder Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KO) is on his radar.Wardley, 31, is also expected to return in April.
“Let’s see how I
am looking in my return fight, then later in 2026 (Wardley) would be a good option for me to try to become (three-time) heavyweight champion. (Wardley) has a hard fight himself coming up soon.”
Fury did acknowledge that to many boxing fans, the biggest, most desired fight for his career is still one with longtime media rival Anthony Joshua. The self-styled “Gypsy King” is foregoing any trash talk or challenges about that at the moment, though he does sound interested if the fight is possible.
“I know the fight you guys all want, but at this time I won’t say his name out of respect as he is in mourning. But if he is not going to continue in boxing, I’d like Big Fab as a big test. This would (also be) a massive spectacle!”
Two members of Joshua’s team were killed in an automobile accident, which Joshua was also involved in, in December. There has been rumor of retirement, though promoter Eddie Hearn has made clear that nothing official has been decided.
