Tyson Fury returned to the ring on Saturday night with a points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov, but the performance was far from the triumphant comeback many had hoped for. The former world heavyweight champion, who had been out of action for 16 months since his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, struggled to impress in front of a sparse crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Makhmudov, known for wrestling a bear in training, proved a limited opponent, but Fury's own flaws were exposed. He was passive early on, backing up frequently and relying on sporadic jabs to the body. Although he showed flashes of his old self, switching stances and landing uppercuts later in the fight, he lacked the speed and inventiveness that once defined him. At times, he opted to lean on Makhmudov against the ropes rather than throw punches, drawing boos from the crowd.
Compatriot Anthony Joshua watched from the front row, with the fight intended to set up a long-overdue all-British showdown. However, Fury's underwhelming display raised questions about whether he can still compete at the highest level. The 37-year-old failed to stop Makhmudov, despite trainer SugarHill Steward's desperate pleas between rounds, and the audience grew disinterested as the bout wore on.
Promoters and fans alike will hope that a fight with Joshua materialises soon, as it remains a compelling prospect. But if Fury's performance here is any indicator, he will need to improve significantly to avoid a similar fate to his defeats by Usyk.
