Fury wins low-key warm-up to keep Joshua fight on track
Tyson Fury stopped Poland’s Mariusz Wach after seven rounds in a low-profile heavyweight bout in Pattaya, Thailand, keeping a possible all-British fight with Anthony Joshua on course. The victory gives Fury his 36th career win and adds momentum to discussions over a long-awaited contest, although Joshua must first beat Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Fury dominated the 46-year-old Wach before his opponent retired on his stool ahead of the eighth round, in front of fewer than 1,500 people at the Max Muay Thai Stadium. The fight was not broadcast live and is due to feature in Netflix’s ‘At Home With The Furys’; Fury said he would return home rather than attend Joshua’s bout, hoping a major fight could be agreed next week. The venue for a Fury-Joshua contest remains uncertain, with suggestions ranging from the UK to the United States.
- Fury stopped Wach to maintain Joshua fight momentum.
- Wach retired before the eighth round in Thailand.
- Fury-Joshua’s venue and final agreement remain unresolved.
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Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are the two most prominent British heavyweight boxers, and many in boxing have long anticipated a direct clash between them. Such a contest would be one of the sport's biggest heavyweight matchups.
Negotiations for the fight have repeatedly stalled, with disagreements over terms, location and finances. Both boxers have continued fighting other opponents during the prolonged negotiations to maintain their standing and competitiveness.
Joshua is due to fight Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia this weekend. Fury has similarly been fighting warm-up opponents to stay sharp while the delayed negotiations continue, with a potential Fury-Joshua contest possibly taking place in the UK or United States if terms can be agreed.