Tyson Fury has confirmed he will return to the ring in 2026, nearly a year after announcing his retirement from professional boxing. The 37-year-old heavyweight posted on Instagram on Sunday that he is coming back, writing: '2026 is that year. Return of the mac.'
Fury had initially retired in January 2025 after a second consecutive points loss to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, which cost him three of the four major world titles. However, his history of retirement U-turns—having previously stepped away after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022 before returning—led to widespread scepticism that he would stay retired.
The British boxer fuelled speculation over the festive period by posting training clips on social media. Despite insisting he had finished, Fury has been repeatedly linked with a long-awaited bout against Anthony Joshua. Plans for a tune-up fight earlier this year and a potential clash in late summer or 2026 were in motion, but Joshua's involvement is now uncertain after a car crash in Nigeria that left him injured and claimed the lives of two friends.
If Joshua is unavailable, Fury could pursue a trilogy fight against Usyk, the WBC, WBA and IBF champion, or an all-British contest with WBO titleholder Fabio Wardley. A victory over either opponent would see Fury become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
