Boxing
What does Fury gain from Wach warm-up in Thailand?
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Tyson Fury's second bout of the year is finally confirmed - and as usual, 'The Gypsy King' will make it his way or the highway.
The Briton will contest a heavyweight bout with former unified challenger Mariusz Wach at Pattaya's Max Muay Thai Stadium.
Having originally teased a trip to Dublin in early August, Fury will instead remain in Thailand where he trains for his latest test.
Yet "test" may be the optimum word. The star has painted a picture that this kind of bout is a necessity before Anthony Joshua.
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Truthfully though, there are more layers to unpeel that just that - and plenty is be geared towards psychological gamesmanship.
Here, DAZN News breaks down just what Fury stands to gain from this bout - and why it is more than shaking off the ring rust.
Why has Fury taken a second tune-up?
In the terms offered by the star, Fury wants to get more rounds into legs that spent a year out of the game during his retirement.
His comeback win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April came after a lengthy hiatus following his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury had hoped to have his bout with Joshua this summer, with powerbrokers keen early on to secure a favourable summer date.
But Joshua's own plans to take a tune-up following his involvement in a car crash last December threw a spanner into those plans.
It ensured that any potential bout between the pair would be in the final quarter of 2026, leaving Fury frustrated over his inactivity.
He has been beating the drum for a second tune-up to keep match-fit ever since - and now, he has secured a dance opponent.
Why Wach in Thailand?
Expectations that Fury could figure on a Queensberry card in Dublin always felt a tad fanciful, especially as a second-fiddle name.
Thus, it isn't too shocking he has turned up elsewhere - and in electing to stay in Thailand, the star has minimised any disruption.
Fury has long spent time in the country for training camps, often joined by close friends and fellow fighters down in Southeast Asia.
In booking this fight for Pattaya, Fury will not need to decamp for a fight week elsewhere, and can keep his routines locked down.
As for the choice of opponent, Wach offers a low-risk option that still has sturdy pedigree, a previous world title challenger with skill.
The veteran Pole has been a stepping stone for Moses Itauma in recent years, but still brings a durable chin to help bank rounds.
Where does Joshua fit in all this?
Fury will be a heavy favourite - just as Joshua will be against Kristian Prenga - but the former appears to be playing games as well.
In scheduling his bout for July 24, Fury has ensured he will be out one day before the latter pair cross horns in a Jeddah encounter.
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It will draw focus from what many expected to be a busy week for Joshua as he works his way back, and disrupt the limelight too.
At the very least - unless he hits a plane out of Thailand very fast - it likely rules out Fury appearing in person down in Saudi Arabia.
But there can be little denial, no matter what he may say, that the selection of a specific Friday night feels like he is goading his foe.
Joshua will keep matters focused on Prenga and himself. But now, he will face a barrage of extra questions he does not really need.
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Watch Anthony Joshua's hugely anticipated return to the ring versus Kristian Prenga on Saturday, July 25 only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Itauma vs. Hrgovic and Canelo vs. Mbilli PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
