Tyson Fury has announced his return to the ring, set for August 1 in Dublin, Ireland. The former heavyweight champion shared a video on Instagram showing him training in Thailand with the caption: 'Let's go August 1, Dublin, Ireland.' This comes just one week after fellow former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua makes his comeback against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25.
Warm-Up Fights Before the Big Clash
Both fighters appear to be taking warm-up bouts before a long-awaited 'Battle of Britain,' likely scheduled for November. Fury's return follows a dominant points victory over Russia's Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, after which he immediately called out Joshua, who was present at ringside. Joshua, meanwhile, will face unheralded Albanian Kristian Prenga in his first fight since a car crash in Nigeria in December that killed two of his close friends.
Promoter Confirms No Ruiz Jr. for Fury
Veteran promoter Frank Warren, who is organizing the Dublin card, has ruled out Andy Ruiz Jr. as Fury's opponent. Ruiz famously dethroned Joshua as world champion in 2019 before losing the rematch later that year. No opponent has been named for Fury yet.
Verbal Sparring and Signatures
After Fury's win over Makhmudov, a tense verbal exchange occurred at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Joshua taunted Fury, saying: 'I'm the landlord, remember that. You work for me.' Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn later declared: 'Signed, sealed, delivered! AJ v Fury is on,' confirming the much-anticipated showdown is officially in the works.
