Fury Set to Return Against Makhmudov in April Showdown

Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight boxing champion, is slated to come out of retirement to battle Arslanbek Makhmudov in the UK on April 11. This match marks Fury’s return after a hiatus following his defeat to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.

This upcoming fight, which will be available for streaming on Netflix, represents Fury’s first appearance in the ring since his loss. At 37 years old, the British fighter stepped away from boxing shortly after that defeat but has since confirmed his comeback.

“I’m thrilled to be making my return,” Fury expressed. “Boxing has always been my passion, and it will continue to be. Someone inform the king that the ace is back in action!”

Arslanbek Makhmudov, 36, boasts an impressive record of 21 wins out of 23 fights, with his latest victory coming against British boxer Dave Allen last October. Fury, who initially announced his retirement in 2022, has not fought on home soil since December of that year, when he successfully defended his WBC title against Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With 34 wins from 37 matches, Fury has achieved 24 victories via knockout, alongside two losses and one draw. He has enjoyed two reigns as champion, first defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to claim the WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO titles, and later winning the WBC belt from Deontay Wilder in 2020. However, he has yet to hold the title of undisputed champion.

Fury’s two career defeats came consecutively against Usyk in 2024, and he has expressed a strong desire to seek redemption for those losses this year.

Analysis: Fury’s Ambitions Shift Back to Championship Titles

The most unexpected aspect of Fury’s return is not the comeback itself—given his history of numerous retirements—but that it will be streamed on Netflix, which has a global audience of 325 million subscribers. This decision highlights Fury’s status as one of the few true crossover stars in boxing.

Regardless of public opinion, Fury consistently draws significant attention, transcending the sport itself. It’s noteworthy that despite Fury being promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, which has an exclusive broadcasting deal with Dazn, Warren has permitted this fight to be aired outside of that agreement.

“Tyson’s goal is to reclaim his throne, and I fully support him in that endeavor,” Warren stated on social media.

This contest will mark Fury’s first fight in the UK since December 2022, following three consecutive matches in Saudi Arabia. While the frequency of events in Riyadh may be decreasing, the financial backing and influence in boxing remain firmly rooted in Saudi hands. This fight is supported by Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority, under the auspices of Ring Magazine.

Fans had anticipated a higher-profile opponent; however, Makhmudov poses a formidable challenge, and Fury must remain focused. Nevertheless, if Fury performs similarly to his bouts against Usyk, a decisive victory should be within reach.

Looking ahead, should Fury emerge victorious, he may turn his sights towards the long-anticipated encounter with Anthony Joshua. Originally slated for 2026, that fight’s prospects have dimmed following Joshua’s unfortunate car accident in December. Until Joshua’s future plans are clarified, Fury’s ambitions are firmly set on reclaiming world championship titles, with early discussions hinting at a potential matchup against WBO champion Fabio Wardley later this year.