Former heavyweight king Tyson Fury has been issued a stark warning ahead of his planned return to the ring, with trainer Tony Sims declaring that British rival Daniel Dubois possesses the 'phenomenal' power needed to derail the 'Gypsy King's' comeback.
Fury's Return and a Dangerous Warning
Tyson Fury, 37, is targeting a ring return in 2026, having not fought since his two consecutive defeats to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. The former two-time world champion has been spotted training in Thailand recently, sparking speculation about his next move.
However, his potential path back to the top has been labelled perilous by the camp of fellow Brit Daniel Dubois. Dubois, 28, also lost to Usyk last July, being knocked out in the fifth round to relinquish his IBF world heavyweight title. Despite that setback, his new trainer Tony Sims, who has worked with stars like Anthony Joshua, insists Dubois remains a grave threat to anyone in the division.
Sims Backs Dubois to Topple Any Heavyweight
In an interview with Sky Sports, Sims was unequivocal in his assessment. "I think Daniel can beat anybody. His power is phenomenal. We all know that," Sims stated. He emphasised the unpredictable nature of the heavyweight scene, adding, "In the heavyweight scene, anyone can beat anyone. Daniel is capable of beating Tyson Fury or anyone he goes against."
Sims concluded that the coming year would be fascinating for the division, saying "It’s going to be an interesting year this year to see who fights who." This public warning puts Fury on notice that a fight against the powerful Londoner, who holds victories over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, would be a high-risk endeavour.
Makhmudov Mooted as Likely First Opponent
While the Dubois threat looms, it appears Fury's first fight back is more likely to be against Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov. The 36-year-old, who now fights out of Canada, secured a points win over Dave Allen in Sheffield last October, marking his second straight victory after a career defeat.
Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, agreed that Makhmudov was a sensible choice for the comeback bout, telling Box Nation: "I agree with that. [Tyson] is a very intelligent guy. He knows what he wants to do and how to get there... We may do that [Makhmudov fight]."
Trainer Gary Logan also endorsed the match-up, telling Sky Sports it was the perfect style for Fury to look impressive against. "If you needed a style for Fury to look good against, against a guy that he doesn’t really have to look for, who carries a punch, who carries a sense of danger, then Makhmudov is the guy," Logan said. He added that Fury's star power means any fight he is in becomes a major event, stating, "Tyson Fury is box office. It’s great to have him back."
The stage is now set for a critical year in Fury's career, with a cautious tune-up expected before any potential blockbuster clashes. The warnings about Daniel Dubois's power, however, ensure that the narrative around Fury's return will be dominated by discussions of the serious dangers that still await him in the heavyweight landscape.
