Former two-time heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has officially announced his return to professional boxing, ending his most recent retirement spell just months after hinting he was finished with the sport.
The 37-year-old Briton took to Instagram on Sunday to confirm his intentions for the coming year, ending weeks of growing speculation fueled by sightings of the “Gypsy King” in training camps abroad.
“2026 is that year. Return of the Mac. Been away for a while but I’m back now. 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face & get paid for it,” Fury posted.
Ending the Scepticism
Fury’s most recent retirement followed a difficult December 2024, where he suffered a second consecutive defeat to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. While he confirmed his exit from the sport a month later, boxing insiders and fans remained sceptical given Fury’s history of U-turns—most notably his six-month “retirement” following his victory over Dillian Whyte in 2022.
The comeback rumors reached a fever pitch in recent weeks after footage emerged of Fury training in Thailand alongside South African heavyweight Kevin Lerena, looking lean and focused.
The Saudi Plan and the Joshua Factor
Prior to this announcement, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman, Turki Alalshikh, had reportedly been working on a strategic roadmap for 2026. The plan involved:
- Early 2026: Separate “warm-up” bouts for Fury and Anthony Joshua in the Kingdom.
- Late 2026: The long-awaited, multi-million pound “Battle of Britain” between the two rivals.
Anthony Joshua had previously voiced his readiness for the clash after his victory over Jake Paul in December. However, these plans are now under significant uncertainty following Joshua’s serious car accident in Nigeria, which tragically claimed the lives of two of his close associates and left the former champion recovering from injuries and shock.
Legacy at a Glance
Tyson Fury enters this new chapter with one of the most storied records in modern heavyweight history:
- Professional Record: 34 wins, 2 defeats (both against Usyk), and 1 draw (against Deontay Wilder).
- Key Achievements: Two-time world heavyweight champion; lineal champion status.
With Fury now officially “back,” the boxing world awaits news on his first opponent of 2026 and whether the timeline for a clash with a recovering Joshua remains viable.
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Source: Africa Publicity
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