Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, two of British boxing's biggest names, are set to fight within 24 hours of each other this weekend, albeit in relatively low-key events. The lack of buzz surrounding these contests may be due in part to the lingering World Cup hangover, but it's also worth noting that both fights serve as tune-ups for the highly anticipated matchup between Joshua and Fury later this year.
Tyson Fury will face Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on Friday night, in a fight that will not be broadcast on television or streaming services. Instead, footage will be saved for a documentary series. The event will have a limited audience of just 1,500 spectators, a far cry from the usual fanfare surrounding Fury's fights. Wach, a 46-year-old veteran, is not expected to pose a significant threat to Fury, having been dismantled by Moses Itauma in the past.
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua will headline a more high-profile card in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, facing off against Kristian Prenga. While Prenga has power, he is not considered a formidable opponent for the two-time heavyweight champion. This fight marks Joshua's first since the devastating loss of his two close friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, who were killed in a car crash in Nigeria. Joshua has spoken about the therapeutic benefits of boxing, saying it gives him purpose and comfort.
The decision for both Joshua and Fury to take warm-up fights makes sense, given their difficult years professionally and personally. Both men need rounds under their belt, with Joshua having only fought once since his defeat to Daniel Dubois, and Fury looking to build on his win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April. The timing of these fights ensures that both remain active and prepares them for their highly anticipated matchup later this year.
Any slip-ups this weekend would likely derail the plans for a Joshua-Fury fight, with promoters making it clear that safety-first fights were the priority. Given the size of the payday awaiting, it's no surprise that both fighters are taking a cautious approach. At 36 and 37 respectively, Joshua and Fury don't have time for any more mistakes, and until they face each other in the ring, nothing will be taken for granted.
The boxing world is littered with stories of fights falling through due to unexpected upsets, and both Joshua and Fury are familiar with such tales. Joshua's shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 and Fury's close calls against Francis Ngannou serve as reminders that even the biggest names in the sport can fall victim to an off night. As a result, both fighters will be looking to emerge from their respective bouts unscathed and ready for their eventual showdown.
