The former two-time heavyweight world champion retired last January, but is expected to make yet another return to the ring within the next few months
11:31, 09 Jan 2026
Tyson Fury is hoping to return to the ring within the next three months.
The 'Gypsy King' called time on his career last January after suffering consecutive losses to long-standing rival Oleksandr Usyk. But six months on, the 37-year-old stunned fans by announcing his return to the ring, revealing plans to fight again in 2026.
Fury is currently honing his skills in Thailand, where he's been spotted training alongside Kevin Lerena - the current WBC bridgerweight champion. As the former two-time heavyweight world champion intensifies his preparations for another comeback, social media users have been flooding his posts with comments criticising his physique.
The British boxing legend addressed the backlash on Instagram on Friday morning, whilst also discussing his comeback plans. "Real talk. I'm so serious about my return to boxing, I'm the uncrowned king. 2026 is return of the MAC," he wrote, before adding: "Just doing a nice bit of chilling out before the second session of the day.
"Working very hard for this return. The Gypsy King is not taking this lightly whatsoever. I've read a few comments that I am looking a bit hench. Chubby. Fat. Well, welcome to my world. Never been any different. Beat everybody with a fat belly. Never been any different. Never made any odds before", reports the Mirror.
"Why should it make any odds today? I'm weighing about 20 stone at the moment. Probably get down to about under 19 (stone) maybe for the comeback. Nice and loose and fast. I am really looking forward to it. I have been away for a while, but I am back now. Had a year out, and if I box in the first quarter, could be out up to 16 months in the ring, so yeah, it's a long time for a 37-year-old man. 38 this year. Let's see if I have still got it."
Given the meteoric rise and influence of Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, Fury clarified in a separate social media post that his return is not driven by financial gain. "I have literally won everything from regional belts in England to super world titles... fighter of the year twice. Ring Magazine twice. WBC.... every one of them. Every world title I have fought for... for me, there is nothing else other than the fight game. I love this fight game. There is nothing in it for financial gain," he stated.
READ MORE: Tyson Fury responds to 'fat' jibes ahead of boxing comebackREAD MORE: Tyson Fury responds to 'fat' jibes ahead of boxing comeback"I could have retired 10 years ago. I've made an absolute fortune. It's not about the money, although, I always want a good deal for sure. It's mainly about the love of the fight game and the sport. I'm 37, I'm 38 this year, I am older than a motherf*****, but I love to fight. I have zero other interests... only fighting.
"I was born and raised to fight My destiny lies within the fight game. And at the end of it all, I'll be punching like a motherf*****, and I'll probably be ending up in a wheelchair like the rest of them all. Punched to death, don't know if it's Tuesday, Wednesday or December, but it's the game I chose, it's the life we chose. This is the life I chose! We ain't stopping. We ain't f****** leaving."
The 37-year-old boxer is set to make his comeback in the next few months before pursuing a major summer showdown. Arslanbek Makhmudov has emerged as a possible opponent. The towering 6'6 heavyweight - who hasn't stepped into the ring since defeating British fighter David Allen in October - has been mentioned as Fury's potential return opponent, with the 'Gypsy King's' promoter Frank Warren backing the match-up, telling Box Nation: "He's a very intelligent guy. He knows what he wants to do and how to get there. Of course there's a discussion over opponents and so forth, but he's not stupid... he knows what he's got to do. Maybe, we may do that [Makhmudov fight]."