Error code: %{errorCode}
Tyson Fury's fight with heavyweight 'killer' is a perfect comeback
After weeks of teasing, Tyson Fury has confirmed his comeback following a brief retirement from boxing.
On Saturday, April 11, Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov in what will be his first heavyweight bout since losing for a second time to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.
Makhmudov was frequently linked to Fury as he began training for his in-ring return, with the latter’s manager referring to the giant as a "killer”.
However, for Fury, Makhmudov is anything but that, and the former WBC world champion’s team have picked the perfect opponent for the ‘Gypsy King’ to get back into the heavyweight groove.
Fury can dance around stiff Makhmudov
For British fight fans, Makhmudov will be a familiar name.
In October, the 36-year-old made the trip to Sheffield to face Dave Allen, and while he managed to spoil Allen’s homecoming, there were flaws in Makhmudov which Fury can exploit.
Makhmudov has one style in the ring. That’s to march forward and hold his arms up. While his desire to be on the front foot needs to be commended, it makes him a very stiff operator which world class heavyweights can beat with ease.
Fury has decided to opt for power over footwork in recent bouts, most notably since his stoppage win in the second fight with Deontay Wilder, but what makes the ‘Gypsy King’ a special talent is that despite being 6’ 9”, Fury is a slick mover in heavyweight circles.
Against someone like Makhmudov, Fury will want to shake off 16 months of ring rust.
Therefore, an opponent who is not dynamic when it comes to movement will give him the perfect opportunity to find a rhythm, and prove whether he still can still dance around his opponents and make them look foolish.
Makhmudov allows Fury to build-up stamina and mental strength
Fury has made no secret in the build-up to his comeback that he wants to face Usyk in a trilogy fight despite being 2-0 down in their head-to-head encounters.
If Fury is to finally topple Usyk, he needs to obtain the stamina both mentally and physically in whatever fights he has before fighting Usyk once more.
The Ukrainian is someone who tires out his opponents mentally, and once he has broken them, he seals the deal and gets the win.
Makhmudov may not be Usyk, but he still poses a threat with his punching power, and in heavyweight boxing, anything can change with just one clean punch.
This danger will keep Fury on his toes; he cannot afford to take any significant punishment otherwise the plans being put in place for his final heavyweight charge will be in tatters.
Therefore, Fury will have to treat Makhmudov with respect.
If he wants to send a statement to his rivals, produce a boxing clinic, but with some of that Fury charm which keeps British fight fans coming back for more.
What is the perfect performance for Fury in comeback fight?
There is no doubt Fury will be using words like “sausage” and “dosser” to belittle Makhmudov, whilst also threatening to “knock him spark out”, but is a knockout the perfect performance?
While it does send a message to the rest of the division, Fury will hopefully be wanting to get some rounds under his belt.
A star name such as Fury’s will be fast tracked towards the biggest fights possible, therefore, he has not got much time to get back into the swing of things.
In my opinion, the perfect performance for Fury is to bank at least six rounds, find that groove again, get the feet going and reignite the punching power which made him a destructive force over the past few years.
Then, if all goes well, bigger and better things await, and the decision to face Makhmudov following a prolonged absence will look like the perfect one.
Watch López vs. Stevenson only on DAZN PPV
Teofimo López and Shakur Stevenson headline the Ring VI fight night in New York, exclusively on DAZN PPV, this Saturday, January 31.
Purchase as a one-off PPV, or get included at no extra cost with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription, which includes minimum of 12 PPV events per year, plus another 185 fight nights. Monthly and annual options available.
Sign up for Ultimate for £22.99 in the UK / $44.99 in the U.S. More details here.
