Tyson Fury has been offered a world title opportunity if he can successfully navigate his comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov this spring. The Gypsy King returns to the ring after seventeen months in retirement, with the bout scheduled for 11 April at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Wardley Extends Open Invitation to Fury
Current WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley has declared he will be "ready and waiting" for a challenge from Tyson Fury, provided the former champion defeats Russian contender Makhmudov. Wardley, who faces Daniel Dubois in his first title defence on 9 May in Manchester, stated he had already extended an invitation to Fury earlier this year.
"I had an open invitation to him at the start of the year before he signed up for his fight with Makhmudov and before I even signed my fight with Daniel," Wardley told Sky Sports. "I said look if you want to go straightaway we can go straightaway, it’s no bother. But if he wants a little warm-up and he wants to get through that and see how he feels, then cool, no bother to me. I’ll still be ready and waiting after I’m done with Daniel for a massive fight."
Fury's Return After Back-to-Back Defeats
This marks Fury's fifth return from retirement. His last appearance in the ring was in early 2025, when he announced his departure from boxing following consecutive defeats to former undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. Fury, who holds a professional record of 34 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw with 24 knockouts, has been preparing for his comeback with training camps in Thailand.
He enters as the favourite against Canada-based Makhmudov, who boasts a record of 21 victories and 2 defeats, with 19 knockouts. Makhmudov's most recent performance was a hard-fought victory over Dave Allen in Sheffield.
Wardley's Path to the Title
Fabio Wardley earned his WBO championship status after Usyk vacated the belt. The Ipswich-born fighter, who remains undefeated at 20 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw with 19 knockouts, secured the title with a dramatic late knockout of Joseph Parker. He now prepares to defend it against Daniel Dubois, who holds a record of 22 wins and 3 losses with 21 knockouts.
Wardley's comments suggest he is already looking beyond the Dubois fight, eyeing a potential "Battle of Britain" showdown with Fury that would capture global attention.
Changed Landscape for Fury's Future
Originally, Fury had been tentatively scheduled to face Anthony Joshua later in 2026. However, those plans have been put on indefinite hold after Joshua survived a fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest friends. Joshua has since paused his boxing career, leaving Fury to pursue other opportunities in the heavyweight division.
The April fight against Makhmudov therefore represents not just a comeback, but a critical stepping stone toward another world title shot for one of boxing's most charismatic figures.
