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Tyson Fury's showpiece fight with Anthony Joshua could be derailed by the Gypsy King's wife Paris and father John, Frank Warren has claimed.
Fury, who retired from boxing after losing to Oleksandr Usyk last December, teased a potential U-turn last month — hinting that he may be open to a long-awaited showdown with Joshua before finally hanging up his gloves.
AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn has been very optimistic about the prospect of the two finally settling their differences in the ring, having earmarked next summer as a potential date.
Warren has admitted that he expects Fury, 37, to return in 2026 — but claimed that his family could act as a spanner in the works.
'It will come down to the money and what is available,' the promoter told the Telegraph.
'We talk, but Tyson has been busy this year with Netflix and other projects. If the right money is there, I suspect we will see the Joshua fight. Whoever Tyson fights will be a big fight.
Frank Warren says Tyson Fury's family could obstruct the boxer from returning to the ring
Paris, who shares seven children with the boxer, 'doesn't want him to fight again', Warren says
She pleaded with him to quit years before his retirement (Fury pictured after fighting Usyk)
'For one thing, though, we must remember that you can't make someone fight. His wife, Paris, and his dad, John, don't want him to fight.
'It has happened before. We never got to see Lennox Lewis against Riddick Bowe. And Mike Tyson against Lewis arguably came 10 years too late. I’m sure they will do it next year. I think we’ll see Tyson back in 2026. And if it does happen, it would fill out Wembley four times in a heartbeat.'
In the years before to his retirement, Paris frequently begged her husband to quit boxing amid concerns for his safety — but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
The 35 year old, who shares seven children with the former heavyweight world champion, urged him not to fight Deontay Wilder in 2020.
But after triumphing against the American, Fury went on to fight Wilder again in 2021 before taking on Derek Chisora, Francis Ngannou and Usyk twice.
'I'd like him to beat Anthony Joshua and then stop,' Paris told the Mirror in 2020.
'He's in the ring with supreme boxers and it is a dangerous sport. We both know the risks. I know one shot can change everything.
'If they put all the belts on the line it would be such an amazing fight. I'd like him to take that one fight and retire undefeated.
Fury went on to fight five more times before eventually deciding to retire after losing to Usyk
Fury's unpredictable father John, who headbutted a member of Usyk's entourage ahead of their fight last May, also doesn't want him to return to the ring, Warren has claimed
Fans are still hoping for a long-awaited clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua (above)
'He can't go on forever, he can't go undefeated forever. I wouldn't like to see him continue for too long and get hurt.'
Meanwhile, John Fury was banned from his son's corner against Usyk last December, as a result of his 'distracting' behaviour during the first bout with the Ukrainian.
John, 60, was criticised by several fans for his behaviour in the build-up to Fury's first defeat, having been left bloodied after headbutting a member of Usyk's camp.
The Gypsy King's trainer SugarHill later confirmed that John would not be present in the corner ahead of the second showpiece in Saudi Arabia.
