Tyson Fury returned to boxing and defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
He scored a big unanimous decision victory over Mahmudov, with his great rival Anthony Joshua watching intently at ringside.
Fury retired from competition for 16 months after two losses to current world champion Oleksandr Usyk, but decided to return and chose the powerful but predictable Mahmudov as his opponent.
In his first fight in a British ring since 2022, Fury entered with a moving tribute to his great friend and British boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who passed away last year.
He played Hutton’s signature Blue Moon music and wore Hutton-style shorts.
Tyson Fury sent off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
But his sombre arrival was met with ecstatic cheers as fireworks and flames flared around Fury as he stood in front of the stadium crowd on a raised platform. Fury danced, laughed, and fed off that energy. He’s 37 years old and knows he won’t be able to fight forever, but with a reception like this, it’s no wonder he couldn’t quit boxing.
To add to the heady cocktail of the occasion, Joshua was waiting in the wings. Earlier in the evening, Saudi Arabian investor Turki Alarusik, who hosted the event, teased that “the biggest battle in England’s history” between the pair was on the horizon.
Fury was fighting to extend his career and potentially win the biggest prize money of his entire career later this year.
However, Mahmudov is known to be dangerous early in a fight. He charged at Fury from the opening bell. Fury retreated in a straight line, allowing Mahmudov to slam him into the ropes.
The Russian posed a threat from the beginning of the fight, dropping right hands at Fury. These were desperate and clumsy lunges, but it meant Fury needed to take measures and establish control.
In the second round, Mahmudov was thrown out of position by a wild attack, and Fury landed a punch that caused a roar from the crowd. He landed more punches to get another cheer, and at the end of the session, Mahmudov shrugged off the effects by shrugging his head and neck.
Fury landed a one-two in the third round. A hard jab put the former champion on the front foot. Mahmudov threw punches of his own, and Fury threw a right hook. For a moment, the Russian’s legs seemed to break under him. Fury smiled as she leaned towards him.
In the fourth round, Mahmudov caught Fury with a left. Rushing towards Fury, Mahmudov was stuck sitting on the ropes. With his prey out of position, Fury lifted a sharp right cross that hit Mahmudov on the side of the head.
Mahmudov pushes Fury into the ropes early on.
In the second half of the game, the players touched gloves. Fury found the measure of his man.
Mahmudov stumbled forward as Fury marked him with a reliable left jab. The big men occasionally clashed in the clinch with Fury effective inside. He popped Mahmudov’s jaw with a tight left hook.
Fury opted for a long lead hook in the eighth round, pushing his opponent, but never rushing.
At the end of the 10th round, the two fought hard, and Makhmudov, exhausted, lost his footing and slid to the canvas. Just before the gong, Fury rocked Mahmudov with a series of right and left hooks to the jaw.
In the 11th round, Fury briefly switched to southpaw. He landed a jab at Mahmudov, but then attacked the body and then an uppercut to the head. He forced Mahmudov into the corner but was unable to finish.
The crowd gasped again as Fury landed a powerful left hook from a southpaw stance. However, Mahmudov fought to the end and Fury had a near complete victory, winning 120-108 on the second card and 119-109 on the third card.
“Do you accept my challenge?”
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Tyson Fury grabbed a microphone and loudly challenged him to fight Anthony Joshua next, but his rival didn’t give him a clear answer.
As soon as the decision was announced, Fury called Joshua directly.
Fury declared to the entire stadium in a loud voice. “Next time, I would like to give you the match you have all been waiting for.”
He yelled to his rival, “AJ, Anthony Joshua, I want you. Let’s give the fight fans what they want, the Battle of Britain. I want Anthony Joshua to fight the Gypsy King next.”
“Do you accept my challenge?”
Tyson Fury called Anthony Joshua immediately after the fight.
Joshua replied, “Tyson, you’re an influence-seeking guy. I’ve never had a problem getting in the ring with you. I used to hit you when I was a kid (when we sparred). I look at you tonight and I’ll hit you again.”
“With all due respect, tonight is your night. You don’t tell me what to do. I’ve been chasing you for the past ten years. When you’re ready, come see me and tell me your terms.”
“I’m the boss and you work for me. I’m the landlord and you work for me.”
