His promoter Frank Warren says the return bout is intended to resume Fury’s run to another big fight before the end of the summer.
“Tyson has his finger on the pulse of what he wants to do,” Warren told DAZN while discussing Fury’s plans for the rest of the year. “I don’t feel he (Anthony Joshua) will be ready, but if he is and he wants, Tyson is there. If he doesn’t, Tyson will want a big fight in August or September. That’s what he wants.”
A meeting with Anthony Joshua remains the most discussed option. Fans have waited years for the all-British heavyweight clash that once seemed inevitable when both men held world titles at the same time. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh had previously explored the possibility of hosting the fight this summer, but Joshua’s involvement in a serious car accident in Nigeria late last year has created uncertainty over his timeline for his return to the ring.
Warren said Fury’s focus this year is firmly on competition after spending much of the previous year on outside projects.
“Last year was about his TV series, his other commitments and documentary,” Warren said. “This year is about getting to the number one position, and that’s where his head is.”
If Joshua is not ready by late summer, other options may still emerge. WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley has already expressed interest in facing Fury if he successfully defends his belt against Daniel Dubois on May 9.
Wardley previously said he offered Fury a fight earlier in the year before both men committed to other fights.
“I said, ‘Look, if you want to go straight away, we can go straight away, it’s no hassle,'” Wardley told Sky Sports. “But if he wants a little warm-up and he wants to get through it and see how he feels, then that’s cool. I’ll still be ready and waiting after I’m done with Daniel for a massive fight.”
For now, Fury’s immediate focus remains the comeback in April against Makhmudov. If he gets through that fight unscathed, Warren expects the former champion to follow up with a big event later in the year, with Joshua still the fight most fans want to see.
