
LONDON — Tyson Fury is back and the fight the boxing world has waited over a decade for is finally within reach. “The Gypsy King” returned from a 16-month retirement in commanding fashion, cruising to a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The win sets up what could be the biggest all-British heavyweight clash in history against Anthony Joshua.
Fury (now 18 years into his professional career) showed flashes of his elite form, even if it wasn’t quite vintage dominance from start to finish. After weathering early pressure from the aggressive Makhmudov, Fury adjusted quickly:
All three judges saw it clearly:
A near shutout performance.
Makhmudov came out aggressive, throwing heavy shots within seconds of the opening bell. His pressure and power gave Fury something to think about early, particularly in Round 1.nBut once Fury settled in, the tide shifted dramatically.
Switching to southpaw and using his trademark movement, Fury began:
By the fourth round, the Russian contender was visibly fatigued, dealing with what appeared to be a nose injury, and quickly ran out of answers.
FURY AND AJ
Image | Source: Dice City Sports Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are going at it after Fury's win over Arslanbek Makhmudov
Image | Source: Dice City Sports #FuryMakhmudov is LIVE NOW on NetflixImage | Source: Dice City Sports pic.twitter.com/GjMH7KO8D7— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) April 11, 2026
The night carried emotional weight beyond the fight itself.
Fury paid tribute to late boxing icon Ricky Hatton, a close friend, during his ring walk:
After the victory, Fury even led the crowd in singing “There’s Only One Ricky Hatton,” turning the moment into a celebration of legacy and friendship.
With Anthony Joshua watching ringside and even filming the fight the message was clear. Fury didn’t waste time calling him out. “I want you, AJ. Let’s give the fans what they want the Battle of Britain. It’s been 10 years in the making. Let’s dance.”
The fight that has eluded boxing for years now appears closer than ever, with talks already pointing toward a late-summer 2026 mega-fight.
Fury’s return reshapes the heavyweight landscape:
After losses to Oleksandr Usyk led to his latest retirement, many questioned whether Fury would ever return. Now, he’s not just back he’s headlining again.
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