Fury and Joshua are dusting off their gloves for a crucial November showdown – but first, they're taking on some tune-up bouts that couldn't be more mismatched. These heavyweight stars are stepping into the ring this weekend, facing opponents who won't exactly push them to the limit.
Tyson Fury's comeback trail begins in Thailand on Friday night, where he'll take on 46-year-old Mariusz Wach – a Polish veteran who's seen better days. It's a bout so low-key it won't even be broadcast live, instead featuring as part of Fury's Netflix show 'At Home with the Furys', which has become an unlikely platform for his fights. But don't expect him to take this one lightly; Fury's pledged to donate all proceeds to local children's charities.
Anthony Joshua's return to action is a more significant statement, marking his first fight since that devastating accident in Nigeria claimed the lives of close friends. He'll face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga on Saturday night – an opponent who's certainly not in the same league as Usyk or Dubois. Joshua's team has been touting his renewed focus and determination, despite a recent record that's more about promise than performance.
Both fighters have had their fair share of setbacks: Fury suffered two defeats to Usyk in 2024, while Joshua was stopped by Daniel Dubois just last September. But with a £75 million payday on the line for their November showdown – and potentially double that if they agree to split the purse – it's clear that the lure of riches is driving them on.
And amidst all this build-up, Fury's charitable efforts have earned him some recognition: he'll be awarded the WBC's inaugural Humanitarian title after his fight. But Joshua's ambitions are undimmed – and he's still got his sights firmly set on becoming undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.