Tyson Fury has launched his fifth professional comeback with a decisive points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, immediately setting his sights on a blockbuster 2026 schedule. The Gypsy King is targeting three fights next year, with British rival Anthony Joshua overwhelmingly preferred as his second appearance.
Anthony Joshua: The Decade-Long Showdown
Fury and Joshua have been circling each other for over ten years without ever stepping into the ring together, but momentum is now building for what could become the richest fight in boxing history. Promoter Eddie Hearn predicts purses exceeding £100 million each for both fighters.
The two exchanged words at ringside on Saturday, with Joshua refusing to commit to the long-awaited showdown, while Fury insists he has already signed the contract. A potential sticking point is whether Joshua seeks a warm-up fight first, given his only appearance in the last 19 months was a victory over YouTube star Jake Paul in December.
Joshua's most recent credible opponent was Daniel Dubois in 2024, which ended in a brutal fifth-round knockout. The 36-year-old was also involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria in December that killed two close friends, and on Saturday he stated that "once I'm 100 per cent, I'll fight," suggesting he is still processing the tragedy.
Oleksandr Usyk: The Trilogy Option
Fury declared after outpointing Makhmudov that if the Joshua match fails to materialise, only a trilogy fight against Oleksandr Usyk will prevent him from retiring for the sixth time. However, public appetite for a third instalment of their rivalry is questionable, even though Fury continues to dispute the only defeats of his career after losing both bouts on points.
Their previous encounters were heavyweight classics that produced 24 ferociously competitive rounds, but the consensus is that Ukrainian master Usyk, who holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF belts, deserved the victories. Unlike a British blockbuster between Fury and Joshua that would generate massive interest despite their waning stars, it is hard to see the wider appeal of facing Usyk for a third time.
Fabio Wardley or Daniel Dubois: A New Challenge
Fury was emphatic on Saturday that if an agreement cannot be reached with Joshua or Usyk, he would walk away from boxing, declaring he is not interested in the fresher faces who represent the future of the division. However, with knockout specialists Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois clashing for Wardley's WBO belt in Manchester on May 9, the 37-year-old may be presented with an opportunity to face the winner and become a three-time world champion.
This prospect would be enticing and difficult to turn down, not least because seizing the WBO belt would grant Fury extra bargaining power in the heavyweight division. Meanwhile, Wardley or Dubois would likely fancy their chances against an opponent whose peak was during his three fights against Deontay Wilder from 2018 to 2021.
What's Next for The Gypsy King?
As Fury plots his 2026 campaign, the boxing world watches closely to see which path he will choose. Will it be the historic clash with Joshua, a decisive trilogy with Usyk, or a surprising retirement? The coming months will be crucial in determining the legacy of one of boxing's most charismatic figures.
