"Tyson Fury's Next Opponent: Exploring Options After Anthony Joshua Showdown Takes a Backseat Due to Recent Tragedy"

Table of Contents

• Fury's Retirement and Return
• Boxing Fans' Reactions
• AJ's Tragedy and Recovery
• Future Fights and Opponents
• Conclusion

Tyson Fury's recent short-lived retirement and predictable comeback have once again left boxing fans feeling uninterested.

Even the most dedicated fans can only endure so many claims of retirement without a substantial reason to care about his absence from the ring.

Fans may pretend to be excited about his latest return, but daily life in Morecambe or family trips to the Isle of Man tax haven do not satisfy him like a fight does.

However, once the 6ft 9in switch-hitting showman selects an opponent and begins promoting the event, with the backing of Saudi Arabia's finances or promotional expertise, the Gypsy King will reclaim his position at the top.

Yet, his desire for money and attention—whether in or out of the ring—requires a worthy opponent.

A small note on the recent tragedy affecting his team is that the long-awaited all-English dream match now seems far out of reach.

Watford’s 36-year-old London 2012 champion recently buried his closest friends, Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele, following a tragic car accident in Nigeria.

AJ now needs time to heal physically and mentally before he can attempt to regain some semblance of normalcy in his life.

Just two weeks ago, concerns were raised about Team GB's golden boy after he appeared clumsy in the ring, following the hiring and firing of yet another coaching team.

Now, we hope that this remarkable athlete can find personal peace and emerge from this heartbreak as whole as possible.

A match with Fury—or anyone else—should understandably be the least of anyone’s worries right now.

Meanwhile, Netflix has resumed following the giant for a second behind-the-scenes series on his extraordinary life in 2025.

The expectation was that the final episode would unveil his latest sporting comeback and a £200 million two-fight deal with Joshua.

Before the tragic accident that impacted Team AJ, it felt as though Fury held all the cards in their long-standing rivalry.

Joshua’s last significant fight ended in a devastating KO loss, and after a year away from the ring, his comeback against Jake Paul was merely a drawn-out cash grab.

In contrast, Fury's recent break followed an iconic double header—losing both fights but still adding considerable wealth and prestige to his career.

AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, had even stated that his office was waiting for Fury to either make or break his star fighter's farewell.

However, under these changed circumstances, that fight now seems insignificant, and genuine fans of Joshua, along with morally decent individuals, are primarily concerned about his physical and mental well-being.

Now, Fury must find an opponent who can generate half as much mainstream interest as Joshua.

The father of seven has begun training in Thailand for 2026, sparring with former cruiserweight Kevin Larena, who could serve as a decent substitute for Usyk.

However, the Ukrainian champion has defeated Fury twice and is focused on clearing out this era of heavyweights.

This weekend, Fury may be in Germany to watch the underrated 26-0 star Agit Kabayel enjoy a homecoming bout, with younger brother Roman on the undercard.

This potential matchup would appeal to purists who respect Kabayel’s record and potential, but it might be a tough sell and not a significant financial draw for Fury.

Ipswich’s genuine WBO heavyweight world champion Fabio Wardley would make a fantastic opponent both in the ring and during media appearances.

The silent threat, Daniel Dubois, could pose a challenge in the ring, but lacks the marketable persona needed to drive significant pay-per-view sales and boost Fury's earnings.

Though it's an enticing idea, it may be too soon for the 21-year-old sensation to face opponents nearly twice his age.

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