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Tyson Fury's comeback fight confirmed as the Brit returns to ring to face Arslanbek Makhmudov
Tyson Fury will end his retirement and return to the ring to face Arslanbek Makhmudov this April, as confirmed by Turki Alalshikh today.
The former unified heavyweight champion hung up his gloves for a fifth time in January last year, and it looked like the 37-year-old had finally called a day on his days in the ring.
However, last month Fury hinted at a possible comeback on his social media feed, and it has now been announced he'll make his return on Saturday, April 11, for a clash with knockout specialist Makhmudov, in an event to be screened on Netflix.
Taking to his X account, Turki Alalshikh said, "'We are happy that Tyson decided to come out of retirement for what should be an exciting heavyweight clash against Makhmudov"
The fight will take place in the UK, although a venue has yet to be confirmed, marking the first time the platform has broadcast a live sporting event from this country. Promoted by The Ring, the stadium and full undercard will be announced in the coming weeks.
It was December 2024 that Fury last stepped into a ring, and his return will come against a rival who has stopped 19 of his 21 opponents so far and built up a reputation as a knockout specialist.
On the prospect of facing the Brit, he said, "I am thrilled about the opportunity. I'm coming to deliver a war. 'Tyson Fury has been a big champion. I will be more ready than ever to leave with a massive W.
The fight continues Fury's partnership with Netflix, who are currently working on the second season of his reality show At Home With the Furys and is also releasing a documentary on the boxer's career.
"Excited to be back,' Fury said following the announcement.
"Heart's always been and always will be in boxing. Someone go tell the king that the ace is back."
Tyson Fury Analysis - Christopher Walker - DAZN News Senior Boxing Editor
Tyson Fury will return to the ring after a 16-month layoff and facing him will be a man who British fight fans know well in Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Last October, ten months after Fury had been beaten for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk and with the former world champion seemimgly retired, Makhmudov travelled to Britain and he produced a solid display to outpoint Dave Allen in Sheffield.
The performance did not set the world on fire, but it provided Makhmudov with more exposure and an awareness that is ideal for the latest reincarnation of Fury, who has broken another retirement in pursuit of a third world title.
At this stage of Fury’s career, what that is seemingly close to the exit door, is Makhmudov the right test to indicate how much Fury has left? Despite his impressive knockout record, Makhmudov has been exposed badly in losses to Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello, and the latter defeat suggest Fury should have too much, even with a period of inactivity behind him at the age of 37.
Fury’s overall focus will surely be a showdown with Anthony Joshua this year, and that plan could be abandoned if he was to somehow lose to Makhmudov. That thought will likely be on his mind going into this battle, and there may be an urgency from Fury to preserve a future contest rather than go out all in this one.
The bottom line though is that Fury is back, and he will once again have British boxing fans buzzing as the heavyweight division welcomes back one of its greatest characters. Ideally, his performance should serve as a reminder that he can still win a world title, but overall, Fury just requires a win following two consecutive losses and then belts or Joshua can become a realistic possibility later in 2026.
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