Tyson Fury warms up for a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua when he faces Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday.
Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs) will fight Joshua in November provided he beats Wach at the Max Muaythai Stadium in Pattaya, with the bout airing later this year on Netflix, rather than being broadcast live.
‘The Gypsy King’ has signed to fight Joshua, who fights a day later in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prenga.
Following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, the two-time heavyweight champion came out of retirement earlier this year and overcame Arslanbek Makhmudov on points in April.
Wach (39-13, 20 KOs) challenged Wladimir Klitschko for his unified heavyweight world titles in 2012, losing by unanimous decision and the Pole has been beaten 12 times since to a host of top heavyweights.
The 46-year-old was stopped in two rounds by rising prospect, Moses Itauma in 2024 and is coming off a points loss to Viktor Vykhryst in March.
Fury told Pro Boxing Fans on Wednesday that he would not be ringside for Joshua’s bout with Prenga.
‘AJ’ was in attendance for his rival’s win over Makhmudov, but turned down an invitation from the Morecambe man to enter the ring afterwards.
“It’s not he said she said,” the 37-year-old said.
“Or tip for tat.
“I’ve been away from home a long time.
“I’ve been here nine weeks so I’m gonna go home and spend some time with my kids before I go back into training camp for another fight.”
Prediction: Fury should stop the Pole within five rounds.
Baer battles Ibekwe
Daniel Baer faces the undefeated heavyweight Simon Ibekwe in the co-main event.
Germany’s Baer (15-1-1, 14 KOs) heads in off a majority draw with Seun Salami in January, while Ibekwe (6-0, 3 KOs) has won his first six professional bouts.
Prediction: Ibekwe can squeeze out a points victory.
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Remaining Undercard
Light heavyweight, Michael Alan Flannery (14-1, 12 KOs), cruiserweight Lucas Dassios (1-0, 1 KO) and heavyweights Mark Ahondjo (1-0-1, 1 KO) and Arlo Stephens (2-0, 1 KO) all feature against opponents to be announced.
