Tyson Fury outperforms Arslanbek Makhmudov, challenges Anthony Joshua
LONDON — Tyson Fury returned to the ring after a hiatus, securing a unanimous points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday, potentially paving the way for a long-anticipated matchup with Anthony Joshua.
The former world heavyweight champion resumed his career after a 16-month break, dominating Russian Makhmudov to achieve scores of 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Fury’s British rival Joshua observing from ringside among a crowd of around 60,000.
Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs), 37, hailing from the Isle of Man, effectively utilized his jab for a comeback that was more efficient than spectacular, demonstrating his keen boxing intellect and solid footwork. Makhmudov (21-3, 19 KOs) was a willing adversary, often advancing recklessly and allowing Fury to capitalize on openings.
This victory marked a return to form for Fury following consecutive points losses in world title bouts against Oleksandr Usyk in his last two outings.
After achieving his first win in England since defending the WBC title against Derek Chisora in December 2022, Fury directed his focus toward Joshua. He is encouraging his fellow countryman to face him next, rather than former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, 40, who recently defeated veteran Chisora on points.
Addressing Joshua, who was recording the fight on his cell phone, after the win, Fury stated: “Next I want to give you the fight you have all been waiting for. I want you, Anthony Joshua, let’s give the fight fans what they want, a Battle of Britain. I, the Gypsy King, challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me next. Do you accept the challenge? Do not run from me this time, let’s dance.”
The 80,000-seat Croke Park stadium in Dublin has surfaced as a potential venue for the highly anticipated fight in September, should former world champion Joshua, 36, opt against a preliminary bout.
Efforts to arrange Fury vs. Joshua have been ongoing for the past six years without fruition, and most recently, discussions were paused after Joshua was involved in a car accident that resulted in the deaths of two friends in Nigeria in December. While it may not match the magnitude of their initial agreement to fight in June 2020 when both were world champions, it would still represent the most significant fight of 2026.
Joshua, currently training with his previous conqueror Usyk, may prefer a warm-up fight this summer before facing Fury, which could delay their bout until late 2026.
Prior to his knockout victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December, Joshua experienced a fifth-round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois for the IBF world heavyweight title in September 2024. His last victory against a recognized heavyweight contender (excluding Paul or former UFC champion Francis Ngannou) was against Otto Wallin in December 2023.
If this was Fury’s final bout before facing Joshua, he demonstrated that his jab and footwork remain impressive, although Makhmudov managed to land some significant right hands. Fury, who has held two reigns as world champion (2015, and 2020-2024), entered the ring adorned in the sky blue colors of the late Ricky Hatton, a former world welterweight and junior welterweight champion who passed away at 46 in September last year.
Fury faced an aggressive start from Makhmudov, who advanced throwing wild punches, some of which connected. Fury executed a solid combination early in Round 2, but Makhmudov quickly resumed his forward pressure in an attempt to disrupt Fury’s rhythm.
Fury, who had SugarHill Steward in his corner after training himself in Thailand for the past four months, landed effective counter punches late in Round 2 as Makhmudov missed with another significant right, ensuring he won the round.
Makhmudov, 36, based in Montreal, had experienced two stoppage defeats in his last five fights before facing Fury and left himself vulnerable with some of his missed right hands.
Fury found additional openings in Round 3 but was caught by a powerful left hook early in the fourth, prompting Makhmudov to adopt an aggressive approach. Fury then responded with counter punches later in Round 4 and established control with his jab in Round 5.
By the midpoint of the fight, Fury’s jab and footwork appeared to have subdued Makhmudov, as he landed a series of unanswered jabs in Round 6. However, Makhmudov remained a threat, landing two significant right hands in Round 7. Fury staggered Makhmudov with a precise left hook in Round 8 and a left uppercut in Round 9.
In Round 11, Fury unleashed some impressive left uppercuts and consistently landed shots late in Round 12, although they lacked sufficient power to inflict damage and necessitated the judges’ decision.
