Tyson Fury‘s comeback is confirmed — he will face Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov in the UK on April 11, streamed live on Netflix.
‘The Gypsy King’ sat the entirety of 2025 out in retirement, though most had a feeling he would return. Yesterday that suspicion was confirmed, with Makhmudov seen as a relatively dangerous but winnable heavyweight clash to warm Fury up for a bigger fight towards the end of the year.
Known as ‘The Lion’, the 6′ 5″ heavyweight borin in Mozdok, Russia, was last out with a unanimous decision win over the ever tough Dave Allen.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Allen assessed the match-up.
“He was a puncher and he wasn’t a puncher. When I boxed Makhmudov I was fit, I should have been a bit lighter, but if I’m in the mood, which I was that night, I’m not gonna get stopped … He’s good. He can box. For me, he’s past his best … I was frustrating him. If I can do that, Tyson Fury should have a field day with him. He’s overall very good, but if Tyson Fury’s anywhere near his best, Tyson Fury’s a lot better than very good … The only questions is what he’s got left.”
When picking a winner, Allen looked at Makhmudov’s defeats to Guido Vianello and, more notably, Agit Kabayel, surmising that the big puncher simply is not on Fury’s level.
“On all known form, makes him miss, moves, frustrates him for seven or eight rounds and then stops him. But, if he’s slipped a tiny bit, the reflexes aren’t there… If Makhmudov hits him, Makhmudov will flatten him. But I have my doubts that Makhmudov will lay a glove on him, to be honest …. I’m going for a Fury win, rounds seven to 10. But Fury does have to be careful.”
Allen — who admitted he was ‘scared’ of boxing the Russian powerhouse — also predicted that the he will retire following defeat.
