The former two-time heavyweight champion is expected to make his return to action later this year despite announcing his retirement last January
Tyson Fury is targeting a showdown with long-time rival Anthony Joshua this year
Tyson Fury has revealed his three-man hit list ahead of his return to the ring this year – which includes a showdown with Anthony Joshua.
The ‘Gypsy King’ announced his retirement from the sport last January following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, but has performed yet another U-turn. Over the last few months, the Brit has been seen ramping up training, and is currently over in Thailand improving his skill set ahead of a big year in the ring.
Fury, 37, has been getting the work in alongside WBC bridgerweight champion, Kevin Lerena. The Morecambe scrapper has not been shy when it comes to potential opponents. Since his second defeat to Usyk in December 2024, the Englishman has long called for a third fight with his long-time rival.
As well as a Usyk, the former two-time heavyweight world champion is also open to fights with fellow countrymen Joshua and Fabio Wardley. The 37-year-old recently shared an intriguing image on his official Instagram account, showing him staring down the three aforementioned heavyweight rivals.
It comes after the Englishman opened the door to a potential fight with Wardley. “Big smoke for the GK after a long lay off could be an option for later in 2026. God willing,” he wrote on social media. Wardley scored a jaw-dropping eleventh round knockout victory over Joseph Parker back in October to snatch the WBO interim title from the Kiwi. Just weeks on from the London dust-up, Wardley was eventually promoted to full champion after Usyk had vacated the title.
A trilogy fight with Usyk looks doubtful after the Ukrainian’s advisor, Serhii Lapin, considered their rivalry done and dusted. ”Theoretically, it’s an interesting option, but for whom?” Lapin told the Ring back in October. “If boxing fans truly support it, then maybe. However, in my opinion, that chapter is already closed.”
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Fans have been calling for an all-British showdown between Fury and Joshua, and it looked on the cards last month after the pair had agreed to face each other in a summer showdown. But there are now question marks over Joshua’s future after he was recently involved in a tragic car crash in Nigeria – which killed two of his close friends.
Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, recently provided an update on the potential bout, admitting that a clash may not happen until late 2026 – if it happens at all. Speaking to The Mirror, Warren admitted he is not sure what the future holds for Fury or AJ following the crash. “Well, boxing will certainly be the last thing on his (Joshua’s) mind, right now,” he said. “He’s obviously lost two team members who were good, close friends who are now no longer with us, so that will be a big loss to him. I don’t know the extent of his injuries, but it’s also how mentally this will affect him. Boxing again will be the last thing on his mind, but tragedy can affect people in different ways; sometimes, you need something you can really focus on to pull through to the other side.”
