Ringmaster Tyson Fury is up to his old tricks, declaring he is “back to make boxing great again” and promising to bring his own brand of “circus” to the sport.
The 37-year-old British heavyweight will face Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11.
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Fury was thrust into the spotlight during Monday’s press conference, giving his trademark long and convoluted answers as he came face to face with Makhmudov at the north London venue.
“I’m coming back for one reason and that is to make boxing great again,” Fury said.
“Boxing has been going downhill since I retired for the fifth time just over a year ago.
“When Tyson Fury is actively fighting, it all gets pretty boring and boxing works at its best potential – I don’t say that, ChatGPT, the smartest artificial intelligence on the planet, says so.”
The Morecambe fighter retired in January 2025 shortly after his second loss to Alexander Usyk, but announced his comeback last month.
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Fury said the “biggest turning point” was a crash involving British rival Anthony Joshua that killed two of Joshua’s friends.
“I think life is very, very short and precious and fragile and anything can happen at any given moment,” Fury said.
“You should never put things off until tomorrow, next year or next week, because tomorrow is never promised to anyone.”
Sirens, suits and showmanship
Tyson Fury (left) will return to the ring after losing to Alexander Usyk for the second consecutive time in December 2024 [Getty Images]
Makhmudov, 36, arrived to the sound of air-raid sirens before a decked-out Fury strolled onto the stage, all smiles.
“He’s back,” announced Fury, who flew in overnight from a training camp in Thailand.
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“I feel fresh. I feel good,” he said. “If my form is slipping, I’ll say it. I’ll be the first one to say it.”
Fury has not fought in the UK since December 2022 when he defeated Derek Chisora to defend his WBC title at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He has 34 wins in 37 fights, 24 by knockout, plus two losses to Usyk and a draw with Deontay Wilder.
“I brought the circus. I brought the entourage. I brought the entertainment. I brought the action. I brought the cameras,” Fury added, insisting he was still in his “prime.”
When asked about predictions, the Gypsy King used his “right hand” to predict a sixth-round knockout.
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Makhmudov, meanwhile, remains respectful and does not fall into insults or predictions.
He has won 21 of 23 professional fights, 19 of which were by knockout. His most recent fight was a victory over Britain’s Dave Allen in October 2025.
Mahmudov, nicknamed “The Lion”, recalled meeting Fury in Canada about a decade ago and called him a “legend” but said he was now focused on building his own “legacy.”
The confrontation was good-natured. “You’re a big boy, aren’t you?” Fury said with a smile, and the two shook hands to end the conversation.
Analysis – Netflix premieres vintage ‘Fury’
Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win his first world title and defeated Deontay Wilder in 2020 to become a two-time world champion [Getty Images]
It’s old-school Fury—long answers and erratic metaphors. At one point, he compared himself to a bee.
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The real question is, can he fill the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a big-name dance partner? Makhmudov is not a crossover name.
But it will be Fury’s first boxing match to be shown on Netflix, which has more than 325 million subscribers worldwide. With the second season of At Home With The Furys arriving this spring, the platform offers a ready-made audience.
One subplot is the corner. Fury recently teamed up with SugarHill Steward but stated on the airwaves that he would not be training with anyone for the fight. Whether this will become a reality or just more drama remains to be seen.
After April, the focus quickly shifted to what happened next. Fury wants to become a three-time world champion. WBO champion Fabio Wardley will face Daniel Dubois on May 9, with the winner likely to go straight back to the top.
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A trilogy with Oleksandr Usyk remains Fury’s first choice, while a long-discussed fight with Joshua lingers in the background.
Everything came later. Fury’s future depends on April 11.
