Asked about reports linking him to Ruiz, Fury confirmed that contact had been made but said financial demands ended those discussions.

“Andrew has been contacted. Yeah. As a warm-up fight because that’s all he is. A little fat bum dosser,” Fury said to iFL TV. “Although he knocked out the bodybuilder, he wouldn’t come close to me. I’d punch his head right in.

“But they asked for ridiculous numbers, like numbers that they can’t generate. Do you know what I mean? This is not a stadium show. It’s just initially a keep-busy fight, back in the ring action job. So yeah, Andy Ruiz priced himself out.”

Fury added that Ruiz was not the only heavyweight whose asking price exceeded expectations.

“So did a few other people, but we’re still searching for an opponent,” Fury said.

One of the names under consideration is Hysa, the unbeaten Albanian heavyweight who has steadily climbed the rankings.

“Again, Nelson’s been one of the names that’s been talked about. He’s highly ranked, undefeated guy, knockout artist,” Fury said. “So he’s been one of the guys that’s been spoke of as well.”

Fury later suggested that a final decision is close.

“We’re still trying to finalize a few things at the moment, but in the next week or so, I’ll know like 100 percent where and who,” Tyson said.

If Joshua and Fury both come through their respective outings, their long-awaited domestic superfight remains a possibility. In the meantime, Fury appears determined to stay active rather than wait indefinitely on one opponent.