The former heavyweight champion says the Thailand bout is his final tune-up before facing Anthony Joshua later this year
Tyson Fury has confirmed he will return against 46-year-old Mariusz Wach on July 24 in Thailand before his planned showdown with Anthony Joshua. The announcement answers questions about Fury’s next fight but immediately shifts attention to the veteran opponent he has chosen.
The matchup is a significant step down from what many had hoped Fury would take as preparation for Joshua. Wach (39-13, 20 KOs) has been a professional for 21 years and has lost eight of his last 12 fights. Although he has shared the ring with elite heavyweights throughout his career, including Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, Hughie Fury and Joseph Parker, he is well past his best.
Fury has been training in Thailand for much of the year and said the event is about more than boxing.
“2026 is a landmark year for me in boxing and I’m excited to be able to bring this event to Pattaya, a part of the world that is special to me,” Fury said.
“We’re coming together to put on a great show for the fans, while using the opportunity to give back the local community, who have been so good to me every time I have visited.
“At the same time, I’m fully focused on preparing for a tough opponent and making sure I’m the best version of Tyson Fury going into fight night. It’s the start of a huge second half of the year for me.”
The card will have a charitable focus, with ticket profits being donated to local charities in Pattaya. As part of the event, the World Boxing Council will present Fury with its inaugural Humanitarian Title in recognition of his charitable work connected to the promotion.
Manager Spencer Brown stressed that the bout is intended as serious preparation rather than an exhibition.
“This fight is serious preparation for his fight with Anthony Joshua, and we cannot afford any slip-ups at this stage,” Brown said. “So, Tyson will be ready, and I fully expect him to build on his performance at Tottenham Stadium last April.”
Promoter Frank Warren also welcomed Fury’s return, saying the former heavyweight champion is in excellent condition and expects a strong performance in Thailand.
While the charitable aspect of the event has received praise, the opponent is likely to draw criticism. Given Wach’s age, lengthy mileage and recent record, many fans were expecting Fury to choose a more competitive heavyweight capable of providing meaningful preparation before stepping into one of the biggest fights of his career against Joshua.