Tonight in London, Tyson Fury marks his return with a fight against Russian powerhouse Arslanbek Makhmudov. Heavyweight great Lennox Lewis, who is working on the broadcast, has weighed in on the match-up.
How the Brit performs will shape the remainder of his career – an impressive win making the long-awaited Anthony Joshua showdown much more likely.
Speaking to Sky Sports, former undisputed champion said that the danger presented by the Russian is exactly what Fury needs to perform well.
“Every time you come back, it’s always risky. I think this opponent for him is a risky opponent but I think it’s a great opponent for him because he’ll realise this guy’s got two dangerous shots to worry about. Other fighters that he’s been up against had a lot more than Makhmudov. So this is a good fight for him.
We’re in the backend [of Fury’s career]. Muhammad Ali retired at 38. That’s the same time I retired, at 38. So he’s still got a couple of years left.”
In a further prediction given to the BBC, Lewis backed Fury by stoppage.
“He’s elusive, moves well, he can throw great combinations plus he’s quick. I think he does it in round seven or eight.”
Makhmudov presents a threat with his size and power, but has fallen short at the top level in the past. For that reason he is a sizeable underdog, however, Fury has admitted even he does not know how the year out of the ring will affect him.
The fight tops the bill at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight, and will be streamed live on Netflix.
