Tyson Fury’s Plan B if the Fight Against Anthony Joshua Falls Through
Tyson Fury is preparing his return to the ring and already looking ahead: if the long-awaited fight with Anthony Joshua doesn’t happen, champion Fabio Wardley emerges as a “good option” for a clash in 2026.
Tyson Fury returns and is already looking beyond the comeback
After announcing the end of his latest retirement, Tyson Fury has begun to map out his path toward 2026. The former heavyweight world champion, inactive since his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, is expected to return to the ring in April. While that bout is likely to come against a lower-profile opponent, the real focus is on what comes next. With uncertainty surrounding a potential fight against Anthony Joshua, Fury has made it clear that there are real alternatives on the table.
Fabio Wardley, the champion emerging as a threat
In this context, Fabio Wardley has emerged as an increasingly attractive option. The current WBO heavyweight world champion, 31, earned his place with a stunning victory over Joseph Parker, first claiming interim status before being elevated to full champion following Usyk’s decision to vacate the belt. Fury has not hidden his interest and posts on social media that stating that depending on how he feels in his comeback fight, Wardley would be a “good option” as he looks to become a three-time heavyweight world champion. Wardley himself has already said to Sky Sports he is “extremely keen” on the matchup, fully aware that such a fight would place him at the center of the global boxing spotlight.
Anthony Joshua: respect and doubts about his future
For years, a showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua was billed as the biggest unresolved fight in British boxing. Today, that scenario is on hold. Joshua’s future remains unclear following a serious car accident in Nigeria last December, in which members of his close circle tragically lost their lives. Fury has been emphatic in showing respect for his rival’s personal situation, even avoiding mentioning him by name, acknowledging that now is not the right moment to push for that fight. The question is no longer just when—but whether Joshua will return to the ring at all.
A British spectacle with everything at stake
Beyond the titles, a potential Fury vs Wardley bout promises massive media impact. For Fury, it would be a chance to prove he can still compete at the elite level after multiple retirements and comebacks. For Wardley, it would be the ultimate validation of his rapid rise and a title defense against one of the biggest names of the modern era. Fury summed it up clearly: if Joshua does not continue in boxing, Wardley would be a huge test and a guaranteed spectacle. The heavyweight landscape is starting to shift and the return of the Gypsy King is already threatening to shake up the division.
