Tyson Fury return this Saturday, with big things in the pipeline for the rest of 2026, can the Gypsy King get through the Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov.
It’s Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24ko’s) fight week for the first time in 16 months, but what does that bring?
The Gypsy King brings the full package, and on his return he vows to “make boxing great again”.
There’s so many questions that will be answered on Saturday night- Is Fury the same fighter from 16 months ago?, Has father time caught up to the 37 year old?, and will John Fury make an appearance on fight week.
This most recent retirement was Fury’s fifth of a chaotic career.
Back to back points defeats to Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 14ko’s) left a bad taste in the mouth of Fury, who remains adamant the wrong man won on those two nights in 2024, and subsequently announced his retirement from the sport.
Whilst a Netflix and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium purse will undoubtedly be substantial, it seems Fury needs boxing to live a fulfilled life, and people close to him believe Fury is in the best mental state he has ever been going into this fight.
The launch press conference played out in vintage Fury fashion.
Tyson was his charismatic self on the microphone, and his father John Fury went on a verbal rampage on just about everyone who was in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that day.
Carl Froch was the centre of the verbal attack, whilst a fight between those two was never going to materialise, all this did was give Fury-Makhmudov that big fight buzz.
However, what come next was shocking. John Fury spoke to Playbook Boxing stating that boxing has “completely destroyed his relationship with his son”.
It’s since been revealed that not just John but the entirety of the Fury family does not want him to continue boxing.
But at the end of the day, Tyson is his own boss and it is Arslanbek Makhmudov (21-2, 19ko’s) that stands in his way of a direct path to the biggest fights in the division.
The Russian carries power and confidence, but two stoppage defeats to Agit Kabayel (27-0, 19ko’s) and Guido Vianello (14-3-1, 12ko’s) have exposed weaknesses in the artillery of the 36 year old.
Makhmudov spoiled the UK party last time out, defeating fan favourite Dave Allen (25-8-2, 20ko’s) on points.
However, comparing Dave Allen to Tyson Fury is completely unjust to the two time heavyweight world champion, and if Fury can return to the levels of 2024, he should be able to dispatch Makhmudov with relative ease.
Unsurprisingly, the line share of industry experts are backing the man from Morecambe to do the business this Saturday live on Netflix.
Former opponent of Fury and world title challenger Dillian Whyte (31-4, 21ko’s) told IFL TV that he is backing the Gypsy King for a late stoppage or points victory.
Promoter Eddie Hearn is backing Fury to win every round on his way to a comfortable points victory.
Dave Allen has emphasised the need for Fury to “be careful because Makhmudov can hit”, but is still backing the Brit to get a stoppage in rounds 7 to 10.
The bookies are siding with Fury to win the fight at odds of 2/11.
Will Fury get back to winning ways, or can the Russian Makhmudov land the shot of a career and send the Gypsy King straight back into retirement.
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