Fury defeats Wach in Thailand, eyes potential Joshua bout

By Blessing Adeyi — 24 July 2026 — 4 min read

British heavyweight Tyson Fury secured a victory against Mariusz Wach in a low-key boxing match held in Thailand. This win positions Fury closer to a potential fight with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua. The bout, which was not broadcast live, took place at the Max Muay Thai Stadium in Pattaya.

Fury, aged 37, dominated the fight for seven rounds before Wach, 46, retired from the contest at the start of the eighth round. This marks Fury’s 36th career victory and his first stoppage win since 2022. The event was attended by approximately 1,500 fans.

Path to a Potential Blockbuster Fight

The outcome of this fight moves Fury closer to a highly anticipated matchup with Joshua. Joshua is scheduled for his own comeback fight against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Fury commented on the upcoming bout, stating, “I went through my test tonight. Let’s see if he can get through his.” He also added, “I got through my test. Let’s see if (Joshua) gets through his test.”

Despite speculation that Fury might travel to Jeddah for Joshua’s fight, he confirmed he would be returning home. “I’m not going to Jeddah, I’m going home to my wife and kids. I’m going to regroup and hopefully we’ll have a big fight signed next week,” Fury stated. He also expressed some doubt about Joshua, saying, “In Tottenham in front of 70,000 people, he never had the guts to get in the ring and face me. Let’s see if he ever does. I’m not convinced.”

The location for a potential all-British bout remains uncertain. While Eddie Hearn has indicated Joshua’s contract specifies the UK, other reports suggest venues in America are being considered. Fury mentioned several possibilities: “Who knows? It could be in Vegas, New York, Ireland, London. Who knows where the fight’s going to be?”

A Different Kind of Boxing Event

Fury’s fight against Wach was not shown live on any television or radio platform. Instead, it will be featured as part of the third series of the Netflix reality show ‘At Home With The Furys’. This approach highlights a shift in how boxing events are being presented, with a focus on behind-the-scenes content and broader narratives.

The venue in Pattaya typically hosts Muay Thai events. For Fury’s boxing card, staff transformed the ring after the regular Muay Thai programme. Fury himself referenced the unique nature of the event, comparing it to historic fights: “We’ve all heard of the ‘Thriller in Manila’, you’ve heard of the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ and you’ve heard of the punch-up in Pattaya.”

During the fight, social media updates provided real-time information to reporters. One clip shared on X showed Wach landing a right hand in the second round. Another clip revealed empty seats, a contrast to Fury’s past fights at venues like Wembley Stadium, which drew 96,000 fans, and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which attracted 64,500. Fury also stated that ticket profits from the event would be donated to a local charity supporting disadvantaged children and students with disabilities.

The fight concluded when Wach’s corner withdrew him, preventing further punishment. This marked Fury’s first stoppage victory since his win over Derek Chisora in 2022.

Netflix’s Growing Role in Combat Sports

A potential Fury versus Joshua fight is anticipated to be featured on Netflix, a platform with over 325 million subscribers worldwide. Netflix has increasingly become a significant player in boxing and combat sports. The platform’s reach in boxing has expanded, with Terence Crawford’s victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez attracting an estimated 41.4 million viewers, and Joshua’s December fight with Jake Paul drawing 33 million viewers.

Netflix has also ventured into MMA, with Ronda Rousey’s fight against Gina Carano reportedly peaking at 17 million viewers worldwide, setting a record for the sport. The decision to feature Fury’s heavyweight bout as part of a reality series, rather than a live broadcast, underscores the platform’s growing influence and the evolving landscape of boxing.

Joshua’s upcoming fight against Prenga will be his first professional appearance since a car crash in Nigeria in December, which resulted in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. His last competitive fight was a knockout loss to IBF world champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.

Source: bbc.com