Tonight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England two-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury returns from fifteen month’s inactivity and, a fifth ‘retirement’ ! He will face Russian man-mountain Arslanbek Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs).
The comebacking ‘Gypsy King’ (34-2-1, 24 KOs) was his usual witty-self in Thursday’s (April 9) London press conference at which, despite tickets moving, were stated as ‘still’ being on sale throughout the proceedings. The ‘few’ tickets were mentioned by compere Michael Buffer and others on the dais beforehand.
The inevitable questions are; does Fury still have it ? and, are the public interested anymore ?
In the launch press conference some months ago, despite claims by Fury that boxing needs him, does it really ? The sluggish ticket sales since are indication of gathering boxing disinterest in him, if not, the challenge that he’s picked here. He remains a personality and reality TV star but does his main profession simply serve to back it up.
Like in all walks of life, world boxing moves on and the heavyweight division is currently one of intrigue with undoubted king Oleksandr Usyk effectively a champion in-recess, and others (Fabio Wardley, Ajit Kabayel, Moses Itauma) lining up to challenge for his crown at his next whim.
The world sanctioning bodies have given the Ukrainian ample time to recover from his most recent injury and although he has a mid-summer contest against a kick-boxer in Egypt, it’s not really a legitimate defence of his titles. More a money making and freakshow enterprise.
When Usyk finally returns to proper Queensberry rules challenges, he will see the contenders are lining up, with either Fury or Makhmudov also joining the queue.
The 37-year-old Fury returns to fighting in the UK, his last being December 2022 against fellow Brit Dereck Chisora, at the very same 64,000 capacity Tottenham stadium.
There’s a stacked undercard featuring welterweight Conor Benn against former 140lb (11st) ‘world’ champion Regis Prograis, and at heavyweight, new British champion Jamie TKV against former cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe plus, comebacking Team GB Olympic medallist Frazer Clarke facing Australia’s only once beaten Justis Huni.
All three fights are well matched and the results will have some future title significance.
As for the main event; it’s possible that Fury’s layoff could be telling and he never re-captures the slick boxing and form that we’ve come to know. He’s claimed that with Makhmudov’s size and lack of movement he “won’t be able to miss him” but, the 6 foot 5 Russian, insists he’s coming “to WIN”.
Thirteen of 36-year-old Makhmudov’s nineteen KOs have been in the first round, albeit against significantly inferior opposition. His last fight in front of 10,000 in Sheffield, England was against popular Brit fighter Dave Allen. He won that over twelve messy rounds to get his big opportunity tonight.
The event is bankrolled by streaming giant Netflix, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and promoted by The Ring magazine. It will possibly have the biggest ever global reach being live and exclusive on Netflix.
It’s supported by Frank Warren’s Queensberry who promote Fury, and has BOXXER fighters also on the card.
Ultimately, come the final bell of Fury-Makhmudov, we’ll know more about what Fury has left and, if the Russian is now in the bigger picture or simply fades into the division. We figure, unless Fury has deteriorated considerably that he will win by an, at-times rocky, but clear decision. The Russian can bang but his lack of movement and intensity may be his ultimate downfall. Fury’s nine inch reach advantage may be a key factor as he jabs his way to an expected victory.
With that eventuality, it’s ‘full on’ for the long awaited Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight, rather than a further attempt by either at divisional supremo Oleksandr Usyk. Both have two losses to him.
Enjoy tonight and let the all-Brit hype really begin !
The Undisputed 