Why Tyson Fury won't be at Anthony Joshua's fight despite Oleksandr Usyk's appearance

Despite Anthony Joshua returning to the ring against Kristian Prenga this evening, Tyson Fury won’t be in attendance – and there’s a reason why.

Fury took part in a non-televised bout against 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on Friday (July 24), with the ‘Gypsy King’ winning by way of a seventh-round knockout in front of just 1,500 fans.

The bout was billed as a warm-up for a proposed all-British showdown with Joshua later in 2026, with AJ expected to overcome Albania’s Prenga this evening.

Back in April, Joshua was at ringside for Fury’s comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov, with the pair exchanging verbal blows after the fight at Tottenham Stadium.

Throughout fight week, Fury has aimed several digs at his compatriot, including calling him a “big s***house” after his win over Wach.

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"I got through my test,” Fury said. “Let's see if [Joshua] gets through his test. The biggest test of it all is how big his balls are. I think he's a big s***house.

"In Tottenham in front of 70,000 people, he never had the guts to get in the ring and face me. Let's see if he ever does. I'm not convinced.

"I'll regroup. Hopefully the next big fight is signed next week, and we head wherever we're going to head.”

Joshua had earlier explained that he chose not to face off with Fury because he was the “landlord”, while inviting him to face off on July 25.

“I’m going to welcome you into my home,” Joshua said. “You don’t welcome me into your home.

“I’ve been in that position before where I’ve signed contracts with Fury.

“So, I didn’t play into the games. I’m not there for games. If the contract was signed, I would have got in the ring."

A venue for the proposed fight is still up in the air, with Matchroom Boxing chief and Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn admitting it may take place in the US rather than the UK, with New York’s Madison Square Garden a preferred choice.

Why Tyson Fury won’t be at Anthony Joshua’s fight

Despite many expecting Fury to be sat at ringside inside Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia, it appears this is not the case, with the two-time world heavyweight champion explaining the reasons for his decision.

"I've been away the last six or seven months," Fury said in his post-fight interview. "I'm definitely not going to Jeddah. I'm going home to my wife and kids, who have been supporting me from a distance.

"I've been away in training camp for 10 weeks. I was away before that for four months, so I'm going to go home and have a rest."

Joshua's former opponent and training partner Oleksandr Usyk was in Jeddah to support the Brit despite previously beating AJ twice.