Tyson Fury has declared he is ready to prove himself once again as he prepares to face Russian-born heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. The fight marks Fury’s return after a 15-month layoff, following back-to-back defeats to world champion Oleksandr Usyk at the end of 2024.
The 37-year-old British boxer had announced his retirement after losing to Usyk, stepping away from the sport for a full calendar year. On January 4, he revealed his comeback, reigniting speculation about his future in boxing. Fury acknowledged that retirement has never been straightforward for him, admitting he has stepped away five times but returned on four occasions.
“People always question retirement for me,” Fury said at a press conference in London. “I’ve retired five times before and meant it wholeheartedly. I’ve come back four times successfully, and we’ll see if it’s five.”
He explained that boredom with everyday life often drives him back to the ring. “Dropping the kids off at school, taking the dogs for a walk, that kind of stuff. I miss everything that comes with big fights,” he said. Fury added that Anthony Joshua’s recent car crash in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s close friends, was a reminder of life’s fragility. “It certifies tomorrow is not guaranteed,” he said. “I thought to myself, I still have love for this game, and I know I can still do it.”
Despite his confidence, Fury’s father, John Fury, has expressed doubts about his son’s ability to compete at the highest level. He argued that Tyson’s trilogy of grueling fights against Deontay Wilder left lasting damage. “Tyson has been gone since the Deontay Wilder fights; they finished him,” John Fury said. “Wilder has completely done him. He’s not got a leg underneath him. Makhmudov is a problem for Tyson.”
Tyson Fury rejected those concerns, insisting he remains sharp. “I’ve never lost my speed of reactions. I’ve still got it. 100 percent. I’m looking for as good a performance as it can be after 16 months out,” he said.
Makhmudov, 36, acknowledged Fury’s reputation and experience, dismissing suggestions that the British fighter’s time away from the ring would hinder him. “It’s not a problem for him because of his experience,” Makhmudov said. “Maybe it’s the opposite because he can recover from hard fights in the past.”
The press conference also touched on speculation about a potential “Battle of Britain” super-fight between Fury and Anthony Joshua. The chief executive of Croke Park in Dublin confirmed interest in staging the bout at the 80,000-capacity venue. Fury, however, refused to be drawn into discussions about future opponents. “I don’t want to mention names when I’ve got a dangerous fighter in front of me,” he said. “The rest can get a hiding, but I need to give Makhmudov a hiding first.”
Fury’s return has reignited debate about his longevity in the sport. While critics question whether his best years are behind him, Fury insists he still has the skills and hunger to compete. His bout against Makhmudov will serve as a crucial test, not only of his physical condition but also of his ability to reclaim relevance in a heavyweight division dominated by Usyk and Joshua.
For Fury, the fight is more than a comeback; it is a statement that he remains a force in boxing. Whether he can silence doubts and prove “he’s still got it” will be decided under the lights in London.
