Manager Spencer Brown has revealed that a controversial opponent was explored for Tyson Fury, ahead of his expected clash with Anthony Joshua later this year.

While gearing up for his long-awaited showdown with ‘AJ’, ‘The Gypsy King’ is planning to enter another warm-up fight, this time in August, following his unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov last month.

This performance saw him end a 16-month layoff after suffering a second points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, who edged their first encounter by split decision in May 2024.

But despite returning against Makhmudov, Fury is eager to have one more fight while Joshua, who has not fought since December, is preparing to face Kristian Prenga on July 25.

While coming off a sixth-round finish over Jake Paul, the 36-year-old has not faced a fully-fledged heavyweight since suffering a fifth-round stoppage defeat to Daniel Dubois in 2024.

As a result, he can perhaps be forgiven for facing a lower-level opponent like Prenga, while Fury, on the other hand, has seemingly been targeting a more familiar face in Jarrell Miller.

Still known for his failed doping tests, ‘Big Baby’ Miller is nonetheless coming off a unanimous decision victory over Lenier Pero last month.

More lucrative, though, would have been a clash with Fury in August, which Gold Star Promotions boss Brown has told Seconds Out was firmly on the table.

“Tyson wanted to fight Jarrell Miller. They know each other – we could’ve done the deal very quickly. Jarrell was up for it; Tyson was up for it.

“[But] I think Jarrell’s touring at the moment; he’s doing some stuff in other countries. We’ll get somebody [for Fury]. It won’t be a big sausage; it’ll be a well-touted opponent.”

Along with Miller, Brown mentioned Andy Ruiz Jr as a possible opponent for Fury, but doubts the former unified champion will be ready for August.