Tyson Fury Boxing Comeback

The heavyweight division has been thrown into a state of electric anticipation as Tyson Fury has set his sights on revenge against Oleksandr Usyk or an all-British showdown with Anthony Joshua after confirming he will make his return to boxing in 2026. The announcement comes after months of speculation and cryptic social media posts that had boxing fans worldwide holding their breath.

Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, took to social media on Wednesday to reveal Fury had informed him he will make his comeback next year after stepping away from the sport. The revelation has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, particularly given Fury’s emphatic retirement announcement just six months ago.

The Retirement That Never Was

Fury announced he had retired from boxing in January earlier this year, one month on from his unanimous decision defeat to Usyk in the pair’s heavyweight rematch. The retirement announcement came with characteristic flair from the self-proclaimed Gypsy King, who declared at the time: “I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been a blast. I have loved every single minute of it and I’m going to end with this – Dick Turpin wore a mask!”

The reference to Dick Turpin, England’s infamous highwayman, suggested there was more to the story than met the eye. Boxing insiders and fans alike took the announcement with a healthy dose of skepticism, given Fury’s history of retirement reversals and the tantalizing prospect of massive paydays still on the table.

Their skepticism proved well-founded. The 36-year-old has since teased a return by posting footage of him back in the gym alongside trainer SugarHill Steward, fueling speculation that had been building for months about his inevitable return to the squared circle.

The Saudi Connection

The catalyst for Fury’s confirmed comeback appears to be his relationship with Turki Alalshikh, the powerbroker who has transformed Saudi Arabia into boxing’s new epicenter. Alalshikh took to social media with the confident declaration: “The ‘Gypsy King’ will be back!!! I talked with him, and I have his word to have him in Riyadh Season in 2026 … We have a rabbit to hunt!”

The “rabbit” reference is particularly significant, as Fury frequently described the Ukrainian pound-for-pound No. 1 as a rabbit in the lead-up to their fights. This cryptic message strongly suggests that a trilogy bout with Usyk is at the forefront of discussions, despite many fans and critics arguing that such a fight would be undeserved given Fury’s 0-2 record against the Ukrainian.

Alalshikh’s influence in modern boxing cannot be overstated. He’s transformed Saudi Arabia into a boxing destination, bringing marquee fights to Riyadh with oil money and ambitious vision. His ability to secure Fury’s commitment for 2026 demonstrates the financial power and persuasive capabilities that have made Riyadh Season a must-attend event for boxing’s biggest stars.

Fury’s Preferred Targets

Speaking to Boxing News at the IBA Pro Event in Istanbul, Fury made his intentions crystal clear regarding his preferred opponents upon return. “Who would I rather fight right now? Usyk. I want my revenge in England, that’s all I want,” Fury told Boxing News while in attendance at the IBA Pro Event in Istanbul. “I want my fair shout, and I don’t believe I’ve got a fair shout the last two times”.

The bitterness from his two defeats to Usyk remains palpable. “I don’t know what I’m going to have to do, because I can’t let it go to a decision”, Fury admitted, acknowledging the challenge he faces in convincing judges after losing both previous encounters on the scorecards.

However, Fury isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket. Should the Usyk trilogy prove elusive, he has his sights set on an alternative that would break British boxing records. “That’s the one I want, but if I don’t get that then it will be (Anthony) Joshua, the biggest British boxing fight that will ever happen. It would break all records and it would sell out 100,000 at Wembley in an hour and it’s a fight I think can happen, if I did decide to come back and the deal was right”.

The Joshua Factor

The prospect of a Fury vs. Joshua showdown has been tantalizing British boxing fans for years, representing the ultimate domestic heavyweight clash between two Olympic medalists who have dominated the division. Fury’s promoter Frank Warren told Sky News: “For the Brits, Tyson and AJ is the fight that hasn’t happened. Maybe it will, who knows? So that’s got a massive appeal about it”.

Recent reports have suggested that the fight is closer to reality than ever before. GB News can exclusively reveal that Fury and Joshua have both agreed to fight – with the Gypsy King U-turning on his decision to quit the sport. According to sources, the fight could take place by the end of the year, if the pair and their entourages are able to agree on finances.

Finances are, it’s understood, the only thing holding up a deal with the pair eager to secure as much money as possible. Given that Fury made a staggering £67.3m from his December bout with Usyk but is likely to earn even more from a clash with Joshua, the financial incentives are certainly compelling.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has been vocal about the fight’s feasibility, particularly given both fighters’ current circumstances. “It really is one phone call, just to say, ‘here are the terms. You’re both not champions at the moment, but you’re both huge stars. Let’s just get on with it and make it happen'”, Hearn explained.

The Road Back: Training and Preparation

The first signs of Fury’s comeback emerged in April when he posted cryptic videos alongside his trainer SugarHill Steward. “Just in the gym and I bumped into somebody you might know,” Fury said before turning the camera to reveal Stewart, who has been his coach since before his famous seventh round knockout victory over Deontay Wilder.

The 36-year-old than panned around to show American trainer, SugarHill Steward, who smiled and said, “You know what time is it.” Fury then looked into the camera with this direct message, stating, “You know what’s coming”.

These training videos served as the first concrete indication that Fury’s retirement might be short-lived. The 36-year-old has regularly kept his fans updated on his fitness regime with social media clips of him undergoing training sessions or sharpening his skills in the boxing gym, suggesting he has maintained a level of conditioning that would allow for a relatively swift return to competitive action.

The Usyk Trilogy Controversy

While Fury’s preferred target remains Usyk, the prospect of a third fight has generated significant controversy among boxing fans and analysts. Fans are overwhelmingly against a third fight between Fury and Usyk. The reaction to Turki’s post hinting of making the Fury-Usyk trilogy has been negative. People Fury lost both fights to Usyk, and it’s not interesting for people to see a third.

Critics argue that Fury doesn’t deserve a world title shot against Usyk after 0-2 in his last two fights. If boxing is to be a sport, it must be run like one. Matching Fury against Usyk a third time makes it more about business than sports.

The Ukrainian dominated both previous encounters, first winning by split decision in May 2024 to become undisputed heavyweight champion, then losing twice to Usyk last year by unanimous decision in their December rematch. He looked old and feeble in his rematch. He couldn’t do anything in that fight, losing a 12-round unanimous decision by the scores 116-112, 116-112, and 116-112.

Current Landscape and Timing

The timing of Fury’s comeback announcement is particularly intriguing given the current heavyweight landscape. Usyk is currently gearing up to face IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on July 19, a fight that could significantly impact the future trajectory of the division.

Should Dubois pull off an upset victory over Usyk, it would completely reshape the heavyweight picture and potentially derail plans for a Fury-Usyk trilogy. Frank Warren added: “But you know what, Daniel Dubois is going to beat Usyk. So that’s going to throw a bomb in the middle of it all”.

Meanwhile, Joshua is recovering from elbow surgery and targeting a return later in 2025. “Deontay Wilder fights next week. I know he’s a name that’s been mentioned,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports. “There is a potential that AJ could fight Deontay Wilder in October, November, December, and then fight Tyson Fury, and then he’s kind of got the full set in terms of every elite heavyweight of this generation, he’s faced in the ring”.

The Financial Imperative

The financial incentives driving Fury’s comeback cannot be understated. Getting a massive payday against Anthony Joshua while there is still interest from the Saudis and fans represents a compelling motivation for the Morecambe fighter, who has never been shy about the business side of boxing.

However, concerns have been raised about Fury’s recent performances and whether he still possesses the physical tools to compete at the elite level. Unfortunately, there’s a high chance that Fury would be knocked cold by Joshua because there’s no way he could hold him off. He’s too slow, flabby, and hittable now. We saw that in his recent defeat against Oleksandr Usyk.

Legacy and Expectations

As Fury prepares for his 2026 comeback, questions remain about what version of the Gypsy King will emerge from retirement. His legacy as a two-time heavyweight champion is secure, but he never fought Anthony Joshua but says he does not regret going up against his compatriot and believes attention surrounding if he will return shows “how relevant I am”.

“2026 could be his last year in the sport,” the promoter said. “What else do you expect? I mean, that’s three or four fights away. He can’t go on forever but he’s motivated, physically feeling good now to return to camp and ready for one little last roll to this incredible career”.

The Return of the King

Tyson Fury’s confirmed return to boxing in 2026 represents one of the most significant developments in the heavyweight division in recent years. Whether he ultimately faces Usyk in a controversial trilogy bout or finally settles his rivalry with Anthony Joshua, the Gypsy King’s comeback promises to deliver the kind of spectacle and drama that has defined his remarkable career.

With Turki Alalshikh’s financial backing and the promise of record-breaking paydays, Fury’s return seems inevitable. The only questions that remain are: which opponent will he choose, can he recapture his former glory, and will this truly be his final chapter in the squared circle? One thing is certain – the heavyweight division just became infinitely more interesting with the prospect of Tyson Fury’s return to the ring.

The stage is set for what could be the defining fights of a generation, as the Gypsy King prepares to reclaim his throne in the sport’s most glamorous division. Boxing fans worldwide will be watching with bated breath as this remarkable story continues to unfold.