Tyson Fury is set to return to action in August as he prepares to face Anthony Joshua, but has ruled out one potential opponent after negotiations failed.

Fury retired in April when at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium he defeated Russian Arslanbek Makhmudovbefore calling for a long-awaited match with “AJ” in the aftermath.

Joshua has signed a contract, but will first have a warm-up fight to shake off the ring rust and build a relationship with up-to-date trainer Iegor Golub.

He will face Albanian Kristian Prenga next month, while Fury is expected to retire in August, with former unified heavyweight champion and Joshua conqueror Andy Ruiz Jr among the names being mentioned.

However, in an interview with iFL TelevisionFury revealed that Ruiz “overestimated” the opportunity.

“All these rumors about Andy Ruiz, I can clear it up. Andy Ruiz was contacted for a warm-up fight because that’s all he is, little, fat, booty, dosser. Even though he knocked out a bodybuilder [Joshua]he wouldn’t come near me. I’d punch him right in the head.

“But they asked for ridiculous numbers – numbers they can’t generate. It’s not a stadium show, it’s initially a ‘get on with it’ fight, back in the ring, action-packed work.”

“Andy Ruiz has priced himself out, as have several others, but we are still looking for an opponent.”

Ruiz has been out of the ring since his controversial draw with Jarrell Miller in 2024. He has been teasing a return to the ring for years, but nothing has happened and many believe he missed the high point that was his notable “AJ” victory in 2019.

With Fury’s proposed August deadline speedy approaching, a final decision on his opponent is expected soon.

Lewis Edmondson doesn’t want to overlook Lyndon Arthur, but is nevertheless keen to clash with Joshua Buatsi later this year, believing he can cause the Londoner “massive trouble”.

However, the first item on the program is his featherlight heavyweight clash with Arthur, which will take place on June 20 at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.

Edmondson was scheduled to face national rival Ezra Taylor in October, but a hip injury has sidelined him since last July, when he lost a majority decision to Daniel Lapin.

The 30-year-old, who has now recovered from the setback, admits he was initially disheartened by the possibility of not appearing in front of Taylor, but tells Boxing News the rest and recovery has helped him greatly.

“Yes, it was devastating. I was in camp, I lost a lot of money flying with sparring partners, and there was a lot of heat in that fight as well. But it’s boxing – these things happen.

“I don’t think there’s a player who hasn’t had an injury. But now I’ve had a lot of time to fully recover and I’m back to sparring and doing really well in the gym.”

As mentioned, Edmondson will face Arthur, a former European champion, on the Ryan Garner vs. Michael Magnesi card.

With the home advantage and quite a number of tricks up his sleeve, “The Saint” is firmly convinced that he has beaten Arthur, who won a majority vote over Brad Rea in November.

“This is the fight we wanted, this is the fight we strived for and this is the fight that is happening.

“I believe I have the best team behind me and that we can beat anyone who comes in front of us. We know that [fight] it will take us into the air onto the world stage.

“He is a good player with whom I worked [Dmitry] Bivol i [Anthony] Yarde, but I wonder how much he’ll pay for it.

“There is a way to beat every player and we believe we have the right game plan [to beat Arthur]”

If he defeats Arthur, which is not certain, Edmondson will be ready for a fight with Buatsi, his stablemate from Queensberry Promotions.

Despite a controversial points victory over Zach Parker in November, Buatsi is still considered by many to be a top-10 featherlight heavyweight, especially considering his hard-fought fight against Callum Smith in February 2025.

However, according to Edmondson, the 33-year-old has now reached the stage where he is ready for the taking.

“If we get through [Arthur]we want Joshua Buatsi. I know I’m going to cause him massive, massive trouble. He’s a respected fighter, he has a massive name, but I know I have the style to beat him.

“Zach Parker should have made the decision. I think the Callum Smith fight took a lot out of him and I think Zach Parker’s style was wrong for him.”

Having identified several chinks in Buatsi’s armor, perhaps Edmondson will finally have the opportunity to expose them.

“I really fought this fight like I was the champion and he was the challenger,” Andy Cruz told BoxeoCurbanoNetwork. “What happened was that I felt comfortable. I could have taken a little more risk, but I said that because he was the champion, I wasn’t going to risk getting hit with even one punch. I wanted to beat him cleanly. I wanted my punches to be as neat as possible.” I think I was a more effective fighter but I am aware that when you fight a champion, you have to rise well above the champion.”

Cruz (6-1, 3 KO) submitted Muratalla by a 12-round majority in a fight that many fans believed was closer than the official scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 114-114. It was the first professional defeat of Cruz’s career and his first fight scheduled for 12 rounds.

Despite the setback, Cruz said he gained valuable experience and still wants to finish unfinished business with the IBF lightweight champion.

“I wanted the rematch immediately, but it’s going to happen and I don’t mind,” Cruz said. “I can’t complain because I get a chance to fight for the title soon if I can get through this elimination. I can tell he knows he won’t face the same Andy Cruz.”

Before a second fight with Muratalla becomes a reality, Cruz must first defeat Albert Bell (28-0, 9 KO) on July 18 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. This fight is an IBF lightweight title eliminator.

The winner will be in position to fight Muratalla, who is scheduled to defend his IBF lightweight title against Robson Conceicao on August 1. If Muratalla retains the belt and remains at lightweight, the Bell-Cruz winner will be in line to fight for the championship.