Tyson Fury will return to the ring later this month when he faces Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Thailand, with the bout serving as the final stepping stone toward a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua.
The former heavyweight world champion is scheduled to meet the experienced Wach in Pattaya on 24 July, one day before Joshua makes his own comeback against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Joshua has not fought since the tragic car crash in Nigeria in December 2025 that claimed the lives of two of his friends.
Provided both British stars come through their respective contests, they remain on course for a blockbuster domestic clash in 2026 between two of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing.
Wach, now 46, enters the contest with a professional record of 39 wins from 51 fights, including 20 knockouts. However, the veteran has struggled in recent years, winning only three of his last 10 outings.
The Polish heavyweight was stopped in the second round by Britain’s Moses Itauma during their WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title fight in July 2024. He has also suffered defeats to fellow Britons Dillian Whyte in 2019 and Frazer Clarke in 2023.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed in April that an agreement had been reached for the former Olympic champion to face Fury after both complete interim bouts.
Fury returned from a 15-month retirement earlier this year with a points victory over Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Moments after that win, he called out Joshua, who was watching from ringside, with the two exchanging words inside the arena.
Although speculation has suggested the fight could be staged in the United States due to the influence of Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, Hearn recently said both fighters remain contractually committed to holding the contest in the United Kingdom.
Fury had previously indicated his interim return could take place in Dublin on 1 August, but the bout has now been confirmed for Pattaya, Thailand, on 24 July.