The former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, has revealed plans to return to boxing in 2026, ending his latest retirement phase.
The 37-year-old British fighter last stepped into the ring in December 2024, where he suffered a second defeat to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight rematch.
Fury announced his retirement a month later.
In recent weeks, speculation about a comeback intensified after Fury posted training videos from Thailand, where he was seen working out with South African boxer Kevin Lerena.
On Instagram, Fury stated, “2026 is that year. Return of the Mac. I’ve been away for a while, but I’m back now. At 37 years old, I’m still throwing punches.
There’s nothing better than hitting people in the face and getting paid for it.”
Fury’s return was anticipated, especially since his previous retirement was met with skepticism due to his history of comebacks.
He had previously stepped back from boxing after defeating Dillian Whyte at the Wembley Stadium in April 2022, only to return six months later.
Queensberry promoter Frank Warren expressed his expectation that Fury would fight again.
Reports indicated that Saudi Arabian powerbroker Turki Alalshikh had plans for Fury and his longtime rival Anthony Joshua to each have separate bouts in the Kingdom in early 2026, with a potential matchup later in the year.
Joshua fueled this possibility after his victory over Jake Paul in December, stating he was ready to face Fury next.
However, those plans are now uncertain following Joshua’s injury in a car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of two close friends.
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Fury has held the heavyweight title twice and has a professional record of 34 wins, two losses (both to Usyk), and one draw with Deontay Wilder.
He shocked the long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles in Germany.
After more than two and a half years away from the sport, during which he dealt with mental health issues, Fury returned in 2018 and reclaimed his world champion status by defeating Wilder in 2020 to win the WBC title.
Fury has expressed a desire to avenge his losses to Usyk, who currently holds the WBA (Super), WBC, and IBF titles.
