Tyson Fury Ends Retirement for Heavyweight Showdown Against Arslanbek Makhmudov
The 'Gypsy King' Tyson Fury is set to make his highly anticipated return to the boxing ring this evening, ending his fifth retirement after a 16-month hiatus. The former two-time heavyweight world champion will face bear-wrestling Russian contender Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Fury, who stepped away from the sport following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, reversed his decision after just a few months, citing an unscratchable itch to compete.
Fury is planning an active year in 2026, with a potential showdown against long-time rival Anthony Joshua on the horizon. However, he must first navigate the challenge posed by Makhmudov, a 36-year-old Dagestani knockout artist known for upsetting British fans. Makhmudov, who last fought in October with a points victory over Dave Allen, possesses the tools to cause a significant upset on fight night.
Complete Fight Card and Exact Start Times
The undercard is stacked with notable names, featuring a mix of rising stars and established fighters. Here is the full running order and precise start times for tonight's event:
- Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov - 10:07 PM: The main event sees Fury aiming for a dominant performance to kickstart his comeback year.
- Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis - 8:55 PM: Benn makes his return after parting ways with promoter Eddie Hearn, dropping back to welterweight to face the experienced American Prograis.
- Jeamie Tshikeva vs Richard Riakporhe - 8:02 PM: A heavyweight clash promising fireworks, with Tshikeva looking to build momentum against the in-form Riakporhe.
- Justis Huni vs Frazer Clarke - 7:14 PM: An opening main card bout between Huni, seeking redemption after a knockout loss, and Clarke on a mission of his own.
- Breyon Gorham vs Eduardo Costa Do Nascimento - 6:15 PM: Gorham aims to impress with knockout power against the durable Nascimento.
- Mikie Tallon vs Leandro Jose Blanc - 5:44 PM: Tallon returns to the stadium for a step-up fight against Blanc.
- Simon Zachenhuber vs Pawel August - 5:13 PM: Both fighters put their undefeated records on the line in this intriguing matchup.
- Felix Cash vs Liam O'Hare - 4:34 PM: Cash targets a comeback victory to set up a revenge bout against Tyler Denny.
- Sultan Almohammed vs Hector Avila Lozano - 4:11 PM: The young Almohammed looks to maintain his unbeaten streak in his third professional fight.
- Elliot Whale vs Tom Hill - 3:32 PM: Whale aims to climb the welterweight rankings against the tough Hill.
Streaming Details and Additional Information
The fight will be streamed live on Netflix, with fans able to access it through Sky's TV bundles. The event features a diverse undercard, including Conor Benn's welterweight return and a potential star-making performance from Sultan Almohammed. With Fury targeting a busy 2026, tonight's bout against Makhmudov is crucial for his comeback trajectory, while the undercard offers plenty of excitement for boxing enthusiasts.
