TYSON FURY will make an epic return to the ring on April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
It will be the the Gypsy King‘s first fight after announcing that he would hang up his gloves in January last year, following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Now he has to get past 6ft 6in bear wrestling Russia – Makhmudov, promoted by Turki Alalshikh’s Ring Magazine.
When it comes to records, the 36-year-old, nicknamed the Lion, was on a jaw-dropping 18-0 run before losing his undefeated record in a 2023 clash with Agit Kabayel.
Meanwhile, Fury, 37, was the undefeated WBC and lineal heavyweight champion before his losses to Usyk.
Fury’s record overall is 34 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw (34-2-1), with 24 knockouts overall.
Makhmudov, who is one year younger at 36, boasts a record of 21 wins, with 19 knock outs, and just two losses.
The Russian boxer got back to winning ways with a decision win over Doncaster fans’ favourite Dave Allen in October.
6ft6 Makhmudov is a similar size to Anthony Joshua, with an identical upright and European orthodox stance.
Fury boasts a commanding physical advantage over the Russian bruiser, standing at 6ft 9in with an 85-inch read and a weight often around 20st 1lb.
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Makhmudov, who is based in Canada, has a 76-inch reach and weighs around 18st 6lb.
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Tyson Fury is expected to make his return, Conor Benn is closing in on a world title shot and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.
Derek Chisora could fight for the 50th and final time and Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Up first we have a massive fight with Stateside superstars Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez meeting later this month in Madison Square Garden.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
January
- Sat 24 – Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz – IBF lightweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson – WBO super-lightweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 31 – Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly – IBF super-welterweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Francesca Hennessy vs Ellie Bouttell – BBC2
February
- Sat 7 – Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa – WBA featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 21 – Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios – WBC welterweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 21 – Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington – DAZN
- Sun 22 – Claressa Shields vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn – heavyweight unification – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – super-featherweight unification – DAZN
March
Fury said: “Excited to be back. Heart’s always been and always will be in boxing.
“Someone go tell the king that the ace is back!”
The Gyspy King is in the middle of a Thailand training camp where he has dragged tree trunks around potato farms and been showered and massaged by a handful of gym-mates.
His opponent is equally as bonkers and likes to let a couple of pals take turns whacking his rock-hard abs with demolition tools when he is in the gym.
Makhmudov also trains up in Russian mountains by grappling BEARS, so it is set to be a grizzly fight between the two giants.
