Anthony Joshua's former foe offers himself as Tyson Fury warm-up opponent before blockbuster fight

A boxer who previously defeated Anthony Joshua has offered to fight Tyson Fury before the ‘Gypsy King’ takes on ‘AJ’ later in 2026.

Joshua and Fury are set to go toe-to-toe in late 2026, with the bout expected to be broadcast on Netflix, although no official venue has been confirmed.

Before that all-British showdown, Joshua will face little-known Albanian Kristian Pregna in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25.

Meanwhile, Fury’s promoter and Queensberry chief Frank Warren has suggested the ‘Gypsy King’ could take part in a warm-up fight.

Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this week, the veteran promoter said Fury is keen to stay active and “doesn’t want to keep waiting” for further details about the Joshua bout.

"He wants another fight, he doesn't want to be waiting, otherwise he'll be out of the ring for nearly eight months again, and he doesn't want that," Warren said.

"He wants to keep busy, and we will see what happens in the next few weeks.

"I think the [Joshua] fight will take place in November and hopefully it will be in the UK."

'Tyson Fury actually messaged me'

So who could Fury face in his proposed tune-up?

According to former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz, Fury previously messaged him to ask whether he would be interested in a fight.

The American said: “Tyson Fury actually messaged me asking what I thought about fighting him, but everybody was saying that’s too dangerous for him right now, so I’m pretty sure that’s why he picked [Arslanbek] Makhmudov.”

Ruiz is best known to British fans for his shock victory over Joshua in 2019, when the Californian replaced Jarrell Miller at short notice before stunning the boxing world with a seventh-round TKO win.

Joshua avenged that defeat with a unanimous decision victory in their rematch later that year.

Since then, Ruiz has fought just three times, recording wins over Chris Arreola and Luis Ortiz, before a majority decision draw against Miller in 2024.

“The speed, the pressure, and throwing combinations,” Ruiz added. “You know, the head moves but the body stays there, so all my punches are going to land — chest, stomach, head, everywhere.

“If I fought him (Fury), I think I’d be way too much. Although many people say Fury would box me around, they have to remember they haven’t seen me when I face top opponents. I come out like a beast, especially when I’m in shape.”