British boxer Tyson Fury, who will soon turn 38, affirmed Wednesday that "the best is yet to come" for him, ahead of a fight he will take on Friday in Thailand, in preparation for his highly anticipated bout against compatriot Anthony Joshua later this year.

The two-time former world heavyweight champion said from the Thai coastal resort city of Pattaya, where he will face Polish boxer Mariusz Wach, 46, on Friday evening: "I don't think the world has seen the best of Tyson Fury yet."

He added: "It's a great place, and the people are great. I feel at peace after having faced a lot of pressure in the past."

He continued: "I feel like I'm getting younger. I was supposed to fight in Dublin, but I got the opportunity to fight here, and to do it for a noble cause."

The proceeds of his fight, which will not be broadcast live, will be donated to a charity helping underprivileged children in Pattaya.

The bout will take place in a small hall with a capacity of 1,500 spectators, the "Max Muay Thai Stadium," while the "Gypsy King" is used to fighting in packed football stadiums.

Fury said: "I could have sold 100,000 tickets at Wembley, or 70,000 at Tottenham's stadium," stressing that money is not the motive behind his return to competition.

The Briton continued: "I have earned a lot of money in my career. I box to stay in good physical shape, and because I enjoy it. I have earned the right to do exactly what I want from now on. I am the Gypsy King, and I do as I please."

Fury, who is focused on his Friday fight, refused to discuss the bout scheduled before the end of the year against Anthony Joshua, an unprecedented showdown promoted by its organizers as the "Battle of England."

Fury, known for his eccentric personality, retired from boxing following his second consecutive defeat to Ukrainian world champion Oleksandr Usyk at the end of 2024.

He remained a full year without any fight before announcing his return in January, then achieved a unanimous decision victory over Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov in London in April.

As for Joshua, he will face on Saturday in Saudi Arabia Albanian boxer Christian Bringe, an obscure opponent, in his first fight since the car accident he suffered in Nigeria in December, from which he escaped with minor injuries, but which led to the deaths of two of his close friends.