Tyson Fury calls out heavyweight rival Anthony Joshua after sealing unanimous win over Arslanbek Makhmudov on comeback to boxing ring
Updated 11/04/2026 at 23:38 GMT+1
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Tyson Fury returned to action at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening for the first time since the second of his title defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024. Fury announced his retirement in the wake of the loss by a unanimous decision, but hedefeated the powerful Arslanbek Makhmudov, who had suffered just two defeats in his 23 professional bouts before the clash in north London.
Highlights: Usyk beats Fury by unanimous decision to retain titles after engrossing fight
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tyson Fury v Arslanbek Makhmudov live comments
Tyson Fury defeated Arsanblek Makhmudov on Saturday night before challenging Anthony Joshua to a long-awaited fight.
Fury seals comeback victory, goads Joshua
Fury had been out of the ring for almost 16 months after back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, having retired for the fifth time.
He made a comeback at Tottenham Hotspur stadium against his opponent from North Ossetia, and the question over Fury was whether he still had his power, ring IQ and gas in the tank.
The first two rounds were sluggish for the British veteran, but over the rest of the 12 rounds he demonstrated his dominance with a composed performance with some occasional brutal blows.
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Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov after their heavyweight fight
Image credit: Getty Images
Fury was given the win by the judges with a unanimous decision in his favour, and from the ring he goaded Joshua, who was watching ringside.
He said: ”Next, I want to give you the fight you've all been waiting for. I want you AJ. The battle of Britain.
"Here's my challenge. I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me, the Gypsy King, next. Do you accept my challenge?”
Joshua responded that he would not be rushed into any decision, and invited Fury for talks to discuss his terms and conditions.
A solid return for Fury, and ultimately more frustration for British boxing fans as they continue to wait for Joshua v Fury to finally come to fruition.
FURY WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
Then he calls out Anthony Joshua!
Fury says: "Next I want to give you the fight you've all been waiting for. I wanted you AJ.
"The battle of Britain. Here's my challenge. I challenge you, Anthony Joshua to fight me, the Gypsy King, next. Do you accept my challenge?"
More to come...
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 12
Fury celebrates when the bell rings, and he embraces his opponent at length. A more than decent showing for Fury in terms of a comeback that has to lead something more.
Makhmudov started well and then Fury pulled away, but whether he could do that against a real peer is another matter. We await the scorecards.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 11
Ronny Wood watches from the crowd, as does Frank Warren and prominent assorted figures.
Fury is showing some decent mobility to evade Makhmudov, and then switches momentum to try to unload. He lands a solid right just on the bell.
We're into the last round now, and that should be a successful comeback for Fury after more than a year away. All being well for Fury, he'll be teed up to fight Anthony Joshua soon.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 10
Fury is cruising here, and he needs a measured finish or a knockout now to crown a successful return. It remains to be seen if he can be truly special for a third time in his career, though.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 9
Fury continues to lead the rhythm of the fight. More clinching, and Makhmudov slips briefly as the two grapple.
Fury is outlanding his opponent by more than twice as much, and he looks keen to come to attack throughout the whole round.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 8
Fury hurts Makhmudov halfway through the round, and the North Ossetian is looking increasinly unsure on his feet. He's breathing hard now. He's told by his corner not to betray any signs of fatigue.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 7
More Makhmudov clinching with a minute to go. Some decent jab work from Fury keeps him on top, and he puts on the pressure before the bell rings out. He's clearly on top.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 6
While the Joshua fight will sell regardless, Fury is not really the athlete he once was. He's agile enough against this opponent, but he's not incisive yet. Of course, Makhmudov's decent efforts keep him in the fight and Fury at bay.
Fury switches up between orthodox and southpaw, as he does.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 5
Decent blows from first, but it's all a bit ragged already.
Fury is being told by his corner to stay patient. He's not the brutal fighter he was at his best.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 4
Fury eats a heavy left-hander but seems OK. Makhmudov misses with another shot and takes a real clump to the head.
This is not artful stuff, really. Fury is outlanding his opponent comfortably, and there are eight more rounds to come of this tonight - perhaps.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 3
Some decent efforts from Fury here as he grows into his advantage.
He's quicker, he's more accurate too. The problem is that Makhmudov can land just one blow that could end it all.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 2
Fury is looking less sluggish in the second round, and his opponent continues to drive him towards the rope. Makhmudov misses a wild swing and gives Fury the chance to land some heavy blows.
Fury v Makhmudov - Round 1
Fury is on the backfoot immediately and goes into the corner. Fury then goes back onto the ropes again, a little unsteady. The two are grappling a fair bit now, plenty of bear hugging going on.
The questions remain on Fury's tank and his chin after his years out and recent fights. He has, though, only lost to Usyk in his career so far. The two touch gloves at the bell.
Ringwalks for Fury v Makhmudov
The North Ossetian is now in the ring.
BENN BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
98-92 on all three scorecards for Conor Benn.
Benn beats a two-time world champion as he looks to kick on in his career.
25-1 for Benn's career so far, and let's see what he wants after this. A world title fight must remain the aim.
Benn v Prograis - Round 10
It's hard to see that as anything but a win for Benn. Prograis' race is run at his age, you'd imagine, but it's still unclear how far Benn can go. He's had a muddled few years but still looks vicious.
Some decent chat from the pair at the end, before we go to the judges.
Benn v Prograis - Round 9
Benn is on top of most scorecards, and Prograis probably knows he needs to chase here. Benn looks the most energetic, but he may not want to risk too much here, as a defeat would be hugely costly. Prograis looks roughed up and gassed.
Benn v Prograis - Round 8
Nothing to separate them really here. We're into the final two now.
Benn v Prograis - Round 7
A few nasty blows from Benn, around the head and body. A good round for the Briton.
Benn v Prograis - Round 6
Benn is cut on the other eye now. He's getting plenty of attention from his cut man now.
Benn v Prograis - Round 5
Prograis goads Benn and takes a shot to the face. Both fighters are looking confident in themselves, but really the pressure is on Benn. He's chasing titles, he's chasing a legacy. Prograis, at 37 and with two spells as champion behind him, has his.
Benn v Prograis - Round 4
There's a cut above Benn's right eye, and that might cause bother later in the fight. Both men already look like they're wearing the fight so far, and Prograisis stepping up, looking for more openings.
Benn v Prograis - Round 3
Benn has landed around twice as many punches as Prograis so far. At this weight - meaning when he's not moved up to fight Eubank Jr. - he is always active.
Benn v Prograis - Round 2
Benn's range is not really precise yet. It's more even in the second round, but Prograis touches the canvas with his knee, briefly, perhaps betraying the wobble from the end of the first. Benn is moving much more sharply, almost in an agitated way.
Benn v Prograis - Round 1
Some faintly ludicrous grappling in the early stages sees Benn headlock Prograis after a rugby tackle from his rival. Benn then opens up in that nasty, snappy way he can do at his best. Prograis, the veteran, sits back and takes the middle of the ring, then lands a couple of his own blows. Midway through the first round, this is the best action of the night so far. Eddie Hearn is smiling on the sidelines, so you imagine the bitterness is already falling away.
Prograis then really wobbles and buckles as Benn snaps a couple of cracks at him at the very moment the bell strikes.
Benn and Prograis make their way to the ring
The welterweight fight for the co-main is about to get underway.
Eddie Hearn might be seeing Benn for the first time since he left his promotional company. Who knows how that will go later?
Prograis is a two-time world champion at 140lb, with Benn yet to get a full title on his CV.
Alalshikh promises huge surprise
Turki Alalshikh promises the biggest fight in the world, and suggests Eddie Hearn is pivotal to making it happen.
You have to imagine that Joshua will be announced as the next fight for Tyson Fury, assuming he wins tonight.
"We want to see AJ this year at Wembley."
RIAKPORHE STOPS TSHIKEVA
Tshiveka is knocked down! A brutal right sends him down to his knees but he recovers. Another clinch sees the champion fall to the ground. There's a minute left of the fifth and it looks like Riakporhe could find a knockout at any point.
The referee waves it off before it gets worse for the champion.
In the commentary box, there's some suggestion it was an early stoppage. It was, in truth, but Tshikeva had invited the referee to act before he started to rouse himself.
Riakporhe is the new British heavyweight champion, and has eight consecutives KOs.
Riakporhe says he's looking for Johnny Fisher next, and he is also interested in the winner of Daniel Dubois v Fabio Wardley.
Tshikeva v Riakporhe - Round 4
The referee takes a moment to tell Tshikeva that he's had enough of the clinching. With all Riakporhe's superiority you'd want him to step up and push through it to press his advantage.
Not a classic so far.
Tshikeva v Riakporhe - Round 3
More of the same from Riakporhe. Tshikeva appears content to fight more or less as a spoiler and hope something turns up.
Tshikeva v Riakporhe - Round 2
Tshikeva is already clutching and clinching as his face grows more bloodied. The referee steps in to separate them.
The champion walks onto a few punches, and looks well behind already.
Tshikeva v Riakporhe - Round 1
Riakporhe hursts Tshikeva with a right uppercut and he appeared to fall. I'm not sure if it's a slip, or what. Tshikeva isn't looking comfortable, and Riakporhe looks comfortable at the size after moving up from cruiserweight. The champion is not exactly lithe, so there will be questions about his cardio capacity here against a trim challenger. A really heavy combo from Riakporhe audbily connects before the bell.
Tshikeva v Riakporhe
The fight for the British heavyweight title is about to go ahead.
JUSTIS HUNI BY MAJORITY DECISION
95-95, 96-94, 96-94 in the Australian's favour.
It was a well-earned victory, but it wasn't overwhelming. He's earned a tougher fight next, but he may be approaching his ceiling.
Still, at just 27, he might think he has plenty more potential to be developed.
Clarke v Huni - Round 10
David Haye has it at 86-86 after nine rounds. Huni has landed more blows by about 30 after those nine. Andre Ward has Huni up by two so far, but the 10th is ahead, and Clarke really looks a bit more aggressive, and he has about half the round left to find a knockout. Huni ducks and moves away as he can, as the final minute approaches, they clinch. David Haye has been impressed by Huni, and thinks he's winning the round as the seconds tick down. Both fighters look in decent shape with 30 seconds to go, and Huni gets in close, and the two start to exchange a little more viciously, but with 10 seconds left, they can't find anything decisive between them.
We wait for the final scores.
Clarke v Huni - Round 9
Both fighters are fatigued. Clarke is looking for a fight-ending blow but Huni batters him as he does so. Clarke is doing well to absorb that punishment, but it'll probably be reflected in the scoring.
Last chance up next.
Clarke v Huni - Round 8
Clarke spends most of the round on the back ropes, drifting to the ropes. Huni sends in a couple of zesty uppercuts, but Clarke is still adding on a few clumps.
Neither of them are the quickest heavyweights, so they can both be caught when their opponent unloads.
Clarke v Huni - Round 7
More of the same from the two fighters. Both are in the mix here.
Clarke v Huni - Round 6
Clarke continues to take blows to the body. We're past the halfway mark, closing in on the championship rounds. Either fighter could win this, but if it goes the distance then Clarke has much more to do. Both seem fit enough, neither gassed as yet.
Clarke v Huni - Round 5
A more even round in the fifth. Clarke has a few pounds on Huni, he's a bigger man, so he could look to impose himself. AJ shadow boxes on the side as he focuses on the match, with Hearn alongside him too now.
Clarke v Huni - Round 4
Clarke starts landing some really decent blows, a real flurry, with Huni holding on in the corner.
Clarke takes that one probably, and there's no little encuragement for him. Next round could set the tone.
Clarke v Huni - Round 3
Both fighters are looking bright and hitting heavy. There's a little more clinching now, but Huni lands a decent uppercut, and he's found his rhythm.
As well as Joshua, Ben Shalom and Eddie Hearn - often verbal sparring partners - are sitting next to each other and happily chatting away.
Huni is likely up on the scorecards so far.
Clarke v Huni - Round 2
Clarke is still looking to find his precise range, but Huni is getting plenty of successful contacts with his left. Both fighters are happy in the centre of the ring for now.
Huni still on top.
Anthony Joshua is ringside, so I'd expect to see a post-fight face-off with Fury.
Clarke v Huni - Round 1
A cagey opening round but both fighters seem fresh enough. No real damage appearent yet, and the pair are back in their corner for a bit of respite.
Huni the better of the two so far, on early impressions.
Huni fight to go ahead
No indication from the broadcasters that the fight is in jeopardy, and that is scheduled for the coming minutes. Both have seven KOs to their name, and this fight is likely to finish before the final bell.
Two bruisers face off
TV coverage will crack on in about 18 minutes, and then we'll get to the bottom of the Clarke hoo-ha.
Problems for Clarke v Huni?
The experienced boxing journalist Dan Rafael is suggesting there are problems for the card tonight.
Matchroom are reportedly claiming that Justis Huni remains their fighter - at least for one more bout - and he was scheduled to face Frazer Clarke on the main card.
Fury prepares to for ring return
Tyson Fury faces Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hunting a first professional victory since October 2023.
The Gypsy King takes on Makhmudov with the ring walks expected to take place around 22:00 UK time. Before that, on the main card, Conor Benn takes on Regis Prograis, with their bout set to get underway at around 21:00 UK time.
Fury will be desperate to avenge the back-to-back defeats he suffered against Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, could tonight's return mark one step closer to a potential mega bout with Anthony Joshua? Follow live updates with TNT Sports.
- 'Let's dance' - Fury calls on Joshua to 'forget' Wilder and take British mega fight next
- ‘I've never been any different’ – Fury hits back at critics ahead of boxing return
Fury's last appearance
Fury returns to action tonight for the first time in 14 months, when he was defeated by Oleksandr Usyk via decision for the second time in 2024. In the December rematch, the verdict was unanimous, and prompted Fury to announce his retirement from the sport.
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No Filter: Usyk delivers masterclass to beat Fury and retain titles in epic rematch
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