Tyson Fury’s team admit he is not ready to face Fabio Wardley

Tyson Fury still has a long way to go as he stages boxing comeback

Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KO’s) is preparing for a 2026 comeback fight, and all eyes are on the Brit as he continues to keep the details behind his ring return under wraps. 

He has taken to social media on numerous occasions to tease potential opponents, but as it stands, he has yet to announce anything concrete. 

One name that keeps popping up is WBO champion Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KO’s). Wardley defeated Joseph Parker in October, in what was originally intended to take place as a mandatory elimination for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s crown, but following the Ukrainian's decision to vacate his WBO title, the 31-year-old found himself upgraded world champion.

With Usyk, now pursuing a showdown with former WBC title holder Deontay Wilder, Wardley has been left waiting for his opportunity to test himself against the former undisputed champ, and will now be looking for an opponent in the interim. 

As a result, a potential showdown against ‘The Gypsy King’ has surfaced as a potential matchup. 

However, in a conversation with Box Nation, Fury’s manager, Spencer brown has admitted that Fabio Wardley presents too dangerous a challenge this early into the 37-year-old's ring comeback.

“Don’t be so silly. Why would he fight him [Wardley] straight away? He needs a warm-up fight. Why would he do that when he’s been out, and Wardley has been very active and doing his job? If he told me that he was fighting Wardley tomorrow, I would just say ‘wait’.

“Yes, I’ll agree with you on that one, [that Wardley is too dangerous right now].”

Instead, Arslanbek Makhmudov is considered a favourite opponent for Fury to face. Makhmudov last laced up three months ago, besting British fan favourite Dave Allen, and will hope that an upset over ‘The Gypsy King’ could propel him into heavyweight stardom.