Tyson Fury is reportedly weighing up the possibility of stepping into the ring this July ahead of his highly anticipated showdown with Anthony Joshua.
The two British heavyweight rivals have finally committed to settling their long-standing feud, with both men putting pen to paper on a lucrative two-fight agreement.
The opening contest between the pair is provisionally scheduled for November, potentially bringing an end to a rivalry that has simmered for 16 years.
However, Fury's apparent desire to compete before facing Joshua could complicate matters for what has been described as the biggest fight in British boxing history.
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Veteran boxing reporter Chris McKenna has indicated that Fury is likely to pursue a bout in July before meeting Joshua later this year.
McKenna wrote on X: "Tyson Fury likely to seek fight in July before Anthony Joshua clash later in 2026."
Should Fury proceed with this plan, his warm-up contest could take place during the same month as Joshua's own tune-up fight.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will finally meet after years of speculation
| GETTYJoshua is set to face relatively unknown opponent Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia as part of his preparations for the all-British superfight.
The Watford fighter must emerge victorious from that Riyadh encounter for the November showdown with Fury to proceed as planned.
Fury returned to action earlier this month with a comprehensive points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ending a 16-month absence from the ring.
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Five facts about boxing that fans might not know | GBNEWS/PAA summer bout would help the former unified heavyweight champion maintain peak physical and mental condition ahead of the Joshua clash.
Yet such a decision carries considerable danger for the long-awaited Battle of Britain.
Any injury sustained in a July contest, whether a cut or more serious damage, could postpone or even permanently derail plans for the two rivals to finally meet.
A defeat would prove equally problematic, potentially scuppering the superfight that British boxing fans have waited years to witness.
Anthony Joshua knocked Jake Paul out in the sixth round back in December | REUTERSJoshua's Saudi Arabia bout against Prenga will mark his first ring appearance since defeating Jake Paul in Miami last December, a fight in which he broke his opponent's jaw.
The contest also represents Joshua's return following a horrific car accident in Nigeria that nearly claimed his life and tragically killed two of his closest friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
Following Fury's dominant display against Makhmudov earlier this month, the two rivals appeared poised for their first direct confrontation.
Joshua, however, recently declined to engage in any theatrical exchanges with his long-time adversary, opting instead to trade verbal barbs from his ringside position rather than meeting Fury face to face.