Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is considering an interim bout against unbeaten knockout artist Nelson Hysa as a leading option before his long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua. The development comes as both British stars look to maintain activity ahead of a planned showdown in the final quarter of 2026, though a loss for either man would reportedly scrap the mega-fight.
Nelson Hysa has emerged as a frontrunner for the slot, though the deal is not yet finalized. The heavyweight is a promotional stablemate of Fury under Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions and has served as a sparring partner for the “Gypsy King.”
While an opponent is not official, Fury previously stated he would return to the ring on August 1 in Dublin, possibly on the Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain undercard.
The move mirrors the strategy of Anthony Joshua, who is already confirmed to face Albania’s Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prenga enters that contest with a record of 20 wins from 21 bouts, with all 20 victories coming by way of stoppage.
Promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren have been clear that the domestic blockbusters will only proceed if both men win these summer assignments.
Evaluating the risk for the Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua showdown
Tyson Fury remains active following his last outing in April 2026, where he outclassed Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In that match, Fury secured a unanimous decision with scores of 120-108 twice and 119-109. That victory brought his professional record to 35 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, including 24 knockouts.
Despite his dominance against Makhmudov, Fury has opted for a tune-up to ensure he is sharp for the November window. His potential opponent, Nelson Hysa, is known as a major ticket seller in London. This activity is vital for the heavyweight division, which has seen significant shifts since Oleksandr Usyk retained heavyweight titles in a disputed victory over Fury earlier in his career.
Tyson Fury remains confident despite Anthony Joshua criticism
Tyson Fury has been vocal about his upcoming rival, claiming Anthony Joshua “lacks the chin” to survive their scheduled meeting. Following the Makhmudov fight, Fury accused Joshua of “bottling it” and “choking” after his countryman reportedly refused a face-off in the ring. “I’ll knock him out, for sure,” Fury told a global audience during a Netflix broadcast.
The champion suggested that Joshua’s team engineered the July delay for another tune-up specifically after witnessing Fury’s performance in London. Joshua’s last competitive appearance was in December 2025, when he stopped YouTube personality Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami. The wait for the late 2026 date has prompted both camps to seek these dangerous interim hurdles.
Championship stakes and future heavyweight aspirations
The planned late 2026 bout between Fury and Joshua will reportedly feature a unique prize. The Ring magazine has unveiled a specially commissioned “Fight of Britain” belt, made of solid gold and adorned with Union Jacks. Because neither fighter currently holds a recognized world title, this strap will serve as the primary hardware for the domestic clash.
While the immediate focus is on Fury, Anthony Joshua has already identified five major fights he would like to pursue after facing his British rival. Speaking to The Ring on June 6, Joshua named a rematch with Daniel Dubois and a potential fight with com/filip-hrgovic-stops-dave-allen-moses-itauma-fight-nears/”>rising star Moses Itauma as key targets if he stays in the sport long enough. Joshua also mentioned Fabio Wardley, Agit Kabayel, and Deontay Wilder as massive potential match-ups.
Assessing the interim threats for the heavyweights
Nelson Hysa represents a specific type of risk for Fury. As an unbeaten heavyweight knockout artist with a significant ticket-buying base, he provides a competitive homecoming atmosphere. For Joshua, Kristian Prenga offers a similar “danger man” profile, given his 95% knockout-to-win ratio. Any slip-up in July or August would derail one of the most lucrative events in British boxing history.
The location for Fury vs Joshua remains the subject of speculation, though Dana White has recently insisted he knows where the fight will take place. Critics, including former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, have already begun placing bets on the outcome. Bellew predicted that Joshua has the capability of knocking anyone out if he “lets his hands go,” suggesting the main event won’t go the distance.
Closing the chapter on the heavyweight wait
The heavyweight landscape continues to evolve, with fighters like Agit Kabayel remaining in the mix for future title opportunities. For now, the narrative is firmly fixed on the collision course between Fury and Joshua. By exploring a bout with Nelson Hysa, Fury is taking a calculated step to ensure he enters the winter window as the more active participant.
Official confirmation of Fury’s next opponent is expected in the coming weeks as negotiations continue. If both heavyweights successfully navigate their summer roadblocks, the Q4 date for the “Fight of Britain” will finally be set. Until then, the heavyweight division remains on high alert as two unheralded contenders look to play the role of spoiler.
