Tyson Fury made a successful return to the ring on Saturday night, claiming a unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov with rival Anthony Joshua watching from ringside. The former two-time heavyweight world champion, who had been absent from boxing for 16 months, was awarded scorecards of 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109 by the judges.
'Sixteen months out, it's a long time, but I got back to my boxing and got a good, sharp 12 rounds there,' Fury said after the fight. He later challenged Joshua, but the British star declined to step into the ring and offered no commitment to an immediate bout.
Fury showed signs of ring rust early on, with Makhmudov landing the first meaningful right hand within 30 seconds. The ex-champion gradually found his rhythm in the second round, landing an uppercut and a right hook. While never at his peak, Fury neutralised the threat of the Russian knockout specialist, who appeared a spent force by the tenth round.
Fury honoured Ricky Hatton during his ring entrance, wearing gloves and trunks bearing the former world champion's name. The 50,000-strong crowd grew restless during the fifth round as the heavyweights clinched, but Fury controlled the contest throughout.
In other action on the card, Conor Benn earned a points victory over Regis Prograis in his first fight since splitting from Eddie Hearn. Richard Riakporhe ended Jeamie TKV's reign as British heavyweight champion with a fifth-round stoppage, while Justis Huni scraped a majority decision win over Frazer Clarke.
