Roy Jones Jr views a possible clash between Tyson Fury and Fabio Wardley as a classic boxer-puncher matchup, the outcome of which being determined by who can implement their tactics more effectively.
Fury is expected to return in a warm-up fight, perhaps against someone like Arslanbek Makhmudov, after having confirmed the end of his near year-long retirement earlier this month.
It came as a surprise when ‘The Gypsy King’ announced his tentative exit from the sport in January 2025, shortly after suffering a second points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
Back then, many felt that Fury still had plenty to offer, even after losing to the masterful Ukrainian on two occasions in 2024.Sure enough, the 37-year-old is set to shake off some ring rust before jumping back into the deep end.
That much has been clarified by his manager, Spencer Brown, who says that Fury must first have a ‘warm-up’ fight before possibly facing WBO world champion Wardley, who has been suggested as a dance partner later this year.
The prolific knockout artist comes off an 11th-round finish over Joseph Parker, against whom he claimed the WBO interim title – before getting upgraded to full world champion – in October 2025.
Speaking with Clubhouse Boxing, Hall of Famer Jones stressed that Fury, if he is to collide with Wardley, would need to be particularly wary of his opponent’s power.
“I think Tyson Fury’s the better boxer because he’s been boxing longer – he has more experience. But Wardley’s a guy that you can’t count out until the last bell rings.
“So Tyson Fury will have to be on pins and needles from round one to the end of round 12. [Or even] a few minutes before round one and a few minutes after round 12, because Wardley’s that dangerous.”
As Fury gets back into his groove, Wardley is expected to make the first defence of his belt in the first half of 2026, with Derek Chisora emerging as a potential opponent.
