Tyson Fury says this year will mark the end of his career. The Gypsy King faces Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday (July 24) and is set to meet Anthony Joshua before the close of 2026. Fury, 37, retired for the sixth time last January before reversing that decision barely a year later.
The former unified heavyweight champion returned to the ring in April after a 16‑month layoff, beating Arslanbek Makhmudov via unanimous decision at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He takes on Wach just a day before Joshua faces Kristian Prenga, with the British rivals expected to collide later this year. It marks Joshua’s first fight since being involved in a horrific car crash that claimed the lives of his close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
Speaking ahead of his second contest of 2026, Fury told The Sun: “This is my final year. That’s why I want to be active. I don’t want to go on until I’m 65 years old.” He then confirmed: “This is the last year, yeah. Final year, 26.”
Fury suggested a hectic autumn and winter, saying: “I just want to keep busy, keep active. It’s not about money, it’s not about belts, it’s about nothing now. It’s about enjoying my life and enjoying my career and doing what I love to do. That’s boxing training, so maybe I’ll do quite a lot this year.”
Fury has not competed more than twice in a calendar year since 2018. On that occasion, he was likewise emerging from retirement, following two-and-a-half years away. He warmed up with two bouts against Francesco Pianeta and Sefer Seferi in the summer before taking on Deontay Wilder.
Should he fight four times in 2026 and face Joshua again, it would mark the first occasion he has done so since 2011. At that time, Fury was competing for British and Commonwealth titles, defeating Derek Chisora to claim both belts.
However, one of those contests was contested over ten rounds rather than 12. He has had just one 10-round bout since then, against Francis Ngannou three years ago. Any clash with Joshua would also presumably be scheduled over no fewer than 12 rounds.
The finer details surrounding the prospective fight have yet to be confirmed, with an announcement expected once both men come through their respective bouts this week. Turki Al-Sheikh revealed in April that Netflix would broadcast the contest, though a venue is yet to be finalised.
Joshua’s promoter has previously stated that the contract stipulates the United Kingdom as the location. Al-Sheikh acknowledged earlier this month that Wembley Stadium would be his preferred venue for the showdown.