Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has announced that he will return to boxing in 2026, reigniting speculation about another chapter in his storied career.
Fury has not fought since his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, a bout that saw him lose three of the four major world heavyweight titles. The 37-year-old British boxer made the announcement on Sunday via Instagram.
“2026 is that year. Return of the Mac,” Fury wrote. “Been away for a while, but I’m back now, 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face and get paid for it.”
The self-styled “Gypsy King” has a history of announcing his retirement only to reverse course. He previously declared he was stepping away from the sport after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, before returning later that same year.
That pattern led many to doubt Fury’s most recent retirement announcement, which followed his controversial back-to-back losses to Usyk — the only fighter to have beaten him. Fury was particularly aggrieved by the judges’ decisions, ending his retirement statement last year with the remark: “Dick Turpin wore a mask.”
Speculation about another comeback intensified over the festive period after Fury posted several training videos on social media, despite insisting he had retired.
Fury has long been linked with a highly anticipated all-British showdown against fellow former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. The pair were close to agreeing a fight in August 2021, when they collectively held all the major titles, but the bout collapsed after Fury was ordered to face Deontay Wilder for a third time following an arbitration ruling.
Plans had reportedly been in place for both fighters to take tune-up bouts early this year before finally meeting in either late summer or toward the end of 2026. However, a car crash in Nigeria last Monday, which left Joshua injured and claimed the lives of two close friends and team members, is expected to delay any immediate return to the ring for the 36-year-old.
Should Joshua be unavailable, Fury could pursue a trilogy bout with WBC, WBA and IBF champion Usyk, or face WBO titleholder Fabio Wardley. A victory over either opponent would see Fury join Muhammad Ali as a three-time world heavyweight champion.
AFP
