Fury vs Makhmudov: The WBC Ranking Shortcut

Tyson Fury’s return against Arslanbek Makhmudov comes with a guarantee baked in; the winner steps straight into a high WBC ranking, a move that exposes how past belts still open doors long after the rounds stop adding up.

Fury walked away in early 2025, stayed out for a full year, then picked April 11 for his comeback. The opponent is not a rebuild fight. Makhmudov hits hard, commits early, and does not give rounds away easily.  Mauricio Sulaiman has already told everyone how this fight will be treated.

“As a former champion, he has rights and privileges and absolutely I am sure the winner will be highly ranked in the WBC,” Sulaiman told Sky Sports.

Why one fight rewires the ladder

The WBC is not waiting to see form or timing. History carries Fury through the door. The belt he once held still counts. Activity does not erase that status.

Most heavyweights earn a top position through fighting. Ten rounds here. Twelve there. A couple of dull wins just to stay visible. Fury bypasses that route. Makhmudov benefits too. Win this, and his standing jumps without years of grinding.

Sulaiman leaned on the opponent’s credentials to justify it. “Makhmudov was a WBC International and Silver champion, he’s solid, strong. To come back from a long layoff out the ring, it’s an interesting challenge for Fury,” he said.

What the WBC is really rewarding

Sulaiman did not hide the bigger picture. “Tyson Fury is Tyson Fury. He’s a sensational ambassador for boxing, great fighter, he has a tremendous following and I’m very excited,” he said.

Profile still counts. So does past praise. The sanctioning body treats Fury as active currency, even after time away.

Age did not slow the endorsement either. “Tyson has never been hurt. He’s always in shape, always focused. I think there’s Tyson Fury [in boxing] for a long while,” Sulaiman said.

None of this speaks to footwork, timing, or ring rust. It speaks to access. The ranking comes first. The rounds come later.

That is the WBC system. Former champions step back in near the front. Everyone else keeps lining up.