After more than a year away from the ring, former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has announced he is ending yet another retirement and will return to boxing on April 11, 2026, to face Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Fury framed his comeback in his characteristically colorful way, saying he’s stepping back into the sport not for personal glory but to “make boxing great again” – borrowing the famous campaign line of Donald Trump to underline his point.
Fury insists that boxing, in his absence, has lost its excitement, and he feels uniquely positioned to restore its allure.
Fury‘s most recent retirement followed backtoback losses to undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. Despite those defeats and multiple farewell announcements over the years, the 37-year-old Brit has again reversed course.
At a press conference in London, he linked his decision not only to a desire to lift boxing’s profile but also to an unexpected source of inspiration – ChatGPT. According to Fury, the artificial intelligence told him the sport had become “boring” and was at its peak when he was active, prompting him to return.
He insisted, “Boxing is at its maximum potential when Tyson Fury is actively fighting. I didn’t say that; the cleverest AI said that – ChatGPT. So believe that.”
Fury boldly compared his mission to that of Trump‘s efforts in American politics, saying his goal in fighting again is to reinvigorate boxing in the same way Trump promised to restore America’s greatness.
Critics and fans alike have reacted with amusement to Fury‘s invocation of AI as a motivator, but few dispute his ability to generate buzz around the heavyweight division. Fury‘s statements may be tongue-in-cheek, but they highlight the weight of his presence in the sport.
Comeback with bigger stakes
Fury‘s choice of opponent underscores that he isn’t easing back in gently. Arslanbek Makhmudov, a powerful Russian heavyweight, is set to host Fury at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London, with the bout streamed live on Netflix.
Makhmudov, undefeated in his career, has promised a tough challenge, saying he plans to “deliver a war” when he steps in the ring. The fight promises to be a clash of styles, with Fury‘s unorthodox approach facing Makhmudov‘s raw power.
Behind the spectacle, Fury hinted that this fight is a stepping stone toward bigger goals. Despite being 0-2 against Usyk, he still believes he deserves another shot at the Ukrainian champion and has openly stated he thinks Usyk will want a trilogy by year’s end.
Meanwhile, the heavyweight landscape is in flux – Usyk has surrendered one of his titles due to injury, while emerging contenders like Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois are staking their claims. Fury‘s return, he insists, is not just about him; it’s about restoring energy and excitement to the entire division.
Whether fan or critic, few can deny Fury‘s capacity to stir conversation. With one eye on personal legacy and another on the sport’s future, the “Gypsy King” is back – and boxing, for better or worse, has once again got its showman.
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