Tyson Fury has confirmed he will step into the ring in August ahead of his blockbuster clash with Anthony Joshua later this year.
The 37-year-old heavyweight revealed his ambitious schedule for 2026, outlining a three-fight campaign.
Speaking to FurociTV, Fury explained: "So my fight plan this year, with three fights. So it will be April, August and whenever the big fight is announced, either October or November."
The highly anticipated Joshua bout, agreed last month shortly after Fury's points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in north London, is expected to take place in the autumn.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are due to fight later this year | GETTYFury's April contest has already concluded, marking his return following retirement.
Despite his confidence, Fury remains acutely aware of the dangers inherent in scheduling a warm-up bout before such a lucrative encounter.
The Mancunian acknowledged that defeat in August would derail the entire Joshua spectacle. "Listen, I might get knocked out my next fight in August. So then it's all over it," he admitted.
Fury stressed the importance of treating every contest with the utmost seriousness, regardless of opponent.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua appear to finally meet in the ring after years of bickering
| PA"So I got to take one fight at a time, and they're all deadly serious fights," he added.
The former world champion maintains his focus remains internal rather than on whoever stands opposite him.
Joshua himself is preparing for competitive action next month, with a bout against Kristian Prenga scheduled for 25th July in Riyadh.
The British rival has been absent from the ring since his knockout triumph over Jake Paul last December.
As for Fury's August opponent, no name has yet been finalised.
"We have not got an opponent yet. But again, it's never about the opponent, it's just about me versus me always," Fury stated.
British heavyweight Dave Allen had put himself forward as a potential candidate, though his prospects appear slim following a devastating knockout loss to Filip Hrgovic in Doncaster at the weekend.
| GETTY/GBNEWS
Fury expressed supreme confidence in his ability to stop Joshua when they finally meet, predicting a knockout victory.
"I'll knock him out for sure. He will not be able to survive against me," he declared.
"He does not have any chin and I will bang him on it because I am quicker than him and I am a better boxer."
The Gypsy King pointed to Daniel Dubois's recent opponents as evidence of Joshua's fragility.
Tyson Fury was ringside as Anthony Joshua crashed to defeat against Daniel Dubois | PA
Anthony Joshua was second best when he fought Daniel Dubois
| REUTERSFury noted that Dubois faced Usyk, Wardley, Hrgovic and others without flooring them, yet dropped Joshua on five occasions.
"The only one who got knocked out and knocked down five times was Joshua," Fury observed.
"So I will put him back in where he should be. Bambi on ice."