Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are expected to meet later this year in what is being billed as British boxing’s biggest fight, but both must first win separate warm-up bouts on consecutive days. Fury faces Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday, while Joshua fights Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday; their signed agreement remains dependent on neither suffering defeat, injury or another setback. The weekend therefore represents a final practical obstacle to a long-discussed heavyweight contest that has repeatedly failed to materialise.

Fury, 37, is returning after outpointing Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, and his bout with the 46-year-old Wach is portrayed as more of a promotional event than a necessary sporting test, with Netflix documentary cameras present. Joshua, 36, has not fought since a car crash in Nigeria last December that killed two close friends and left him facing both emotional and physical recovery. Promoter Eddie Hearn says Joshua’s training and rehabilitation have shown he is ready to return, while a face-off in Saudi Arabia is anticipated if both fighters win.