Tyson Fury Reveals Anthony Joshua Tragedy Sparked Boxing Comeback
Tyson Fury has disclosed that a devastating car crash involving his long-time rival Anthony Joshua served as the primary catalyst for his return to professional boxing. The former two-time world heavyweight champion will end a 15-month absence from the sport when he faces Russian-born heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, with the bout being broadcast live on Netflix.
The Tragic Incident That Changed Everything
Fury retired from boxing following his second consecutive loss to Oleksandr Usyk at the close of 2024, marking a full calendar year without competition. However, on January 4, he announced his latest comeback, which came just one week after compatriot Anthony Joshua was involved in a car accident in Nigeria that tragically claimed the lives of his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele.
At a press conference held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Fury explained how this news profoundly affected his perspective. "Tomorrow might not ever come and I suppose the biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua," Fury stated. "I was on holiday with my family in Thailand for Christmas just to get away from the rain. I was sick of the rain, it was depressing me and then I hear all about the bad news that's gone on and I thought, 'You know what, life is very, very short and very precious and very fragile and anything can happen at any given moment'."
Embracing the Present Moment
Fury elaborated on his philosophical shift, drawing from biblical wisdom to underscore his decision. "You should never put things off until tomorrow, or next year, or next week because tomorrow is not promised to nobody," he continued. "The Bible says tomorrow is not a gift, tomorrow ain't promised, tomorrow is a mystery so we have to live for today. Me living for that day, I made my mind up there and then I was going to come back to boxing because it's something I love, I am passionate about and I have always been in love with. There is no tomorrow so that's why I am back today."
This revelation puts any potential super-fight between Fury and Joshua in 2026 firmly on hold, as both fighters navigate their respective paths. Fury acknowledged Joshua's indirect role in his return, highlighting how the incident reshaped his priorities.
Revitalising the Sport of Boxing
Despite his team's confidence in his ability to reclaim the world heavyweight title for a third time, Fury presented a broader mission for his comeback. "The truth of the matter is I came back for one reason only and that's to make boxing great again," he declared. "Since I've retired for the fifth time over a year ago, boxing for me has gone on a downward slope and it's become quite boring. Boxing is at its maximum potential when Tyson Fury is actively fighting. I didn't say that, AI, the cleverest thing on earth said that, ChatGPT, so believe it! I am coming back to make boxing great again."
Opponent's Perspective and Press Conference Drama
Fury's opponent, Arslanbek Makhmudov, remained reserved during the launch press conference but shared a poignant anecdote about a past encounter with Fury around 2017. "Yes, this time, it was in Canada and I wasn't even a pro boxer," Makhmudov explained. "At this time Tyson was already world champion. Yes, he is a legend like a big name in heavyweight boxing, but I come here to make my legacy and my story. I believe when we took a picture almost 10 years ago, it was a signal from God that this day will happen one day and one day you will meet this guy and beat him. That is my goal and I believe God prepared me for this."
The event was not without its dramatic moments, as Fury's father, John Fury, stole the spotlight early on with an expletive-laden tirade directed at pundit Carl Froch. This outburst added a layer of controversy to proceedings that began with optimistic statements from Fury's manager Spencer Brown and Queensberry promoter Frank Warren regarding the fighter's championship prospects.
As the boxing world anticipates Fury's return to the ring, his heartfelt admission about the Joshua tragedy provides a deeply personal context to what promises to be a significant event in the heavyweight division.
