Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has announced that he will return to the boxing ring in 2026, ending his recent retirement.
The 37-year-old Brit last fought in December 2024, when he was defeated for the second time in a heavyweight rematch by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. A month later, Fury confirmed his retirement.
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Speculation about Fury’s return has grown in recent weeks after he shared a video of himself training with South African boxer Kevin Lereina in Thailand.
Fury posted on Instagram on Sunday: “2026 is the year. Mac is back. Been away for a while but I’m back now. 37 and still boxing. Nothing better than punching a man in the face and getting paid for it.”
Fury’s return to the ring is widely expected. His recent retirement was met with skepticism last year given his history of comebacks.
He retired from boxing in April 2022 after stopping Dillian Whyte at Wembley Arena, only to return six months later.
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Queensberry promoter Frank Warren said he expected Fury to fight again. Saudi Arabian power broker Turki Alalshikh reportedly plans for Fury and long-time rival Anthony Joshua to fight separately in the kingdom in early 2026 before eventually meeting later this year.
Joshua further fueled the possibility after defeating Jake Paul in December, saying he was ready to face Fury next.
Those plans are now uncertain after Joshua was injured in a car crash in Nigeria that killed two close friends.
Fury has twice defended the heavyweight title and has a career record of 34 wins, two losses (both against Usyk) and a draw with Deontay Wilder.
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In 2015, he defeated long-time defending champion Wladimir Klitschko in Germany to capture the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and The Ring heavyweight titles.
Fury, who has been dealing with mental health issues after more than two and a half years away from boxing, returned in 2018 and regained world title status by defeating Wilder to win the WBC title in 2020.
Fury publicly expressed his desire to avenge Usyk, who currently holds the WBA (Super), WBC, IBF and WBO gold belts.
Fan interest in a trilogy appears to be limited, with the Ukrainian stating he would prefer to defend his title against Wilder next.
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One potential path to a world title shot could be a domestic fight with Fabio Wardley, the current WBO champion and another fighter promoted by Warren Queensberry’s stable.
