The return of Tyson Fury may be good for business, but not everyone is buying into the latest comeback chapter of the heavyweight soap opera.
Earlier this month, the 37-year-old confirmed he will return to the ring, bringing a 12-month retirement to an end. Fury, a former unified heavyweight champion, has lost his last two bouts to Oleksandr Usyk but has spoken openly about becoming a three-time world champion — a feat achieved by the likes of Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.
Fury’s comeback is expected to begin with a warm-up fight, though ‘The Gypsy King’ has publicly floated the idea of challenging current WBO champion Fabio Wardley later this year. Usyk, meanwhile, remains the division’s clear number one, holding the other three recognised titles and eyeing a potential defence against Deontay Wilder in the first half of 2026.
Not everyone is thrilled by the prospect of Fury’s return, however. Former three-weight world champion and respected pundit Duke McKenzie admits he has little interest in seeing Fury lace up the gloves again.
Speaking to Boxing Social, the outspoken 62-year-old questioned the appetite for yet another Fury comeback.
“He keeps banging on about returning to boxing. Am I or am I not? I don’t really think anybody gives a damn anymore. I really don’t. If he wants to get back into world-class contention, then there is no other fight out there for him other than Fabio Wardley.”
Wardley’s stock is soaring after a breakout 2025 that included impressive victories over Justis Huni and former world champion Joseph Parker, before being elevated to WBO champion following Usyk’s decision to vacate the belt.
Despite limited amateur experience and a white-collar boxing background, the Ipswich man is unbeaten in 21 fights and carries concussive power that has made him one of the division’s most dangerous operators.
McKenzie believes Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) would be taking a serious risk against Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) and did not hesitate when asked to pick a winner should the fight materialise.
“Fabio Wardley right now is all wrong for Tyson Fury because you’ve got one guy clearly on the ascendancy, on the way up. Young, hungry, hits hard, wants that big name.
“Enter Tyson Fury, ticks every box Fabio Wardley could ever want. We still haven’t seen the best of Wardley. If I was a gambling man, I’m picking Fabio Wardley all day long.”
Wardley has welcomed the possibility of facing Fury but remains focused on securing a date for his first WBO title defence, with veteran heavyweight Derek Chisora among the names reportedly under consideration. Whether Fury ultimately follows through on his latest comeback remains to be seen — but if McKenzie is right, the risk may outweigh the reward.
