Tyson Fury moved a step closer to a blockbuster heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua after stopping Poland’s Mariusz Wach by technical knockout on Friday.
However, Fury expressed doubts that his British rival would ever agree to the fight.
The 37-year-old former two-time world heavyweight champion dominated Wach in front of 1,500 spectators in Pattaya, Thailand, in a bout not broadcast live.
Fury systematically broke down the 46-year-old opponent, whose corner halted the contest in the seventh round. The victory marked Fury’s second win this year as he returns from a 16-month hiatus.
Attention now shifts to Anthony Joshua, another two-time heavyweight champion, who faces Albania’s Kristian Prenga on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Should Joshua, 36, emerge victorious—as widely expected—a long-anticipated clash with Fury could finally materialize.
I got through my test. Let’s see if Joshua gets through his, Fury said. In Tottenham, in front of 70,000 people, he never had the guts to get in the ring and face me. Let’s see if he ever does. I’m not convinced. Hopefully the next big fight is signed next week.
Fury also dismissed speculation that he would travel to Jeddah to confront Joshua or announce their long-awaited bout, insisting, I’m going home to my wife and kids.
Joshua’s fight against Prenga marks his return to the ring following a tragic car accident in Nigeria last December that claimed the lives of two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. His last appearance was a knockout defeat to IBF world champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
