Frank Warren says Fury wants a major fight by late summer after facing Arslanbek Makhmudov
Tyson Fury plans to pursue a major heavyweight fight later this year. The former champion returns April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Fury will face Russian puncher Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, ending a 16-month absence from the ring. The former heavyweight champion has not fought since suffering consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, results that halted his long reign near the top of the division and left questions about his next move.
His promoter Frank Warren says the comeback bout is meant to restart Fury’s run toward another major fight before the end of the summer.
“Tyson’s got his finger on the pulse of what he wants to do,” Warren said to DAZN while discussing Fury’s plans for the rest of the year. “I don’t feel he [Anthony Joshua] will be ready, but if he is and he wants to, Tyson’s there. If he doesn’t, Tyson will want to be having a big fight in August or September. That’s what he wants.”
A meeting with Anthony Joshua remains the most discussed option. Fans have waited years for the all-British heavyweight clash that once appeared inevitable when both men held world titles at the same time. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh had previously explored the possibility of staging the fight this summer, but Joshua’s involvement in a serious car accident in Nigeria late last year has created uncertainty about his timeline for returning to the ring.
Warren said Fury’s focus this year is firmly on competition after spending much of the previous year tied up with outside projects.
“Last year was about his TV series, his other commitments, and documentary,” Warren said. “This year is about getting to the number one position, and that’s where his head is.”
If Joshua is not ready by late summer, other options could still emerge. WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley has already expressed interest in facing Fury if he successfully defends his belt against Daniel Dubois on May 9.
Wardley previously said he had offered Fury a fight earlier in the year before both men committed to other bouts.
“I said, ‘Look, if you want to go straightaway, we can go straightaway, it’s no bother,’” Wardley said to Sky Sports. “But if he wants a little warm-up and he wants to get through that and see how he feels, then cool. I’ll still be ready and waiting after I’m done with Daniel for a massive fight.”
For the time being, Fury’s immediate focus remains the April return against Makhmudov. If he comes through that fight without injury, Warren expects the former champion to pursue a major event later in the year, with Joshua still the matchup most fans want to see.