Arslanbek Mahmudov knocked Tyson Fury away with a bear hug when they confronted him at Thursday’s final press conference.
Fury took it in good spirits, yelling at Mahmudov and tickling him before his opponent pushed him into the air.
Fury is determined to take on Mahmudov this weekend as he begins his charge to become a three-time world champion.
He has come out of a brief retirement, not for the first time, and returned to boxing for the first time since losing his second fight to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.
For him, this is the first step in his mission to regain the world title.
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Tyson Fury looks ahead to a huge showdown with Arslanbek Makhmudov this weekend and has responded to rumors that a huge showdown with Anthony Joshua has been agreed.
Fury: “For the first time in forever, I will be the hunter instead of the hunted.”
“I’m the head of this department,” he added. “I will prove it over and over again.”
Usyk and Fabio Wardley hold four major world titles between them and are what Fury calls “the so-called alphabet world champions.” Ultimately, he will aim for those belts.
“Sooner or later they’re all going to have to fight me,” said the former champion. “Who are they going to fight to make money?”
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Dillian Whyte says Arslanbek Makhmudov could be a very dangerous opponent for Tyson Fury when the former world champion returns on April 11th.
Fury, 37 and having been out of the sport for some time, will have to defy those who doubt his ability to return, including his father.
“They all said my legs were gone, they said I was unresponsive,” Fury snarled. “You’ll see if you tune in Saturday night.
“He’s fast, he’s skilled, he’s handsome, he’s destructive…he’s never lost his speed or his reactions.”
“I still get it,” he continued. “I probably did 500 rounds of sparring and I’m still able to do it.
“I hope Tottenham can do a lot better than they are doing now,” Fury added. “Because it’s shocking content at this point.”
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At times it seemed like the boxer was slowing down the fight and making his opponent miss with every move.
He warned that Mahmudov could not be taken lightly. “Other fighters (combatants) can wait their turn and hide,” Fury said. “Let’s salute this man.
“He’s a quick starter and has 17 knockouts in the first few rounds.
“I’ve never overlooked anyone in my life, and this beast certainly hasn’t.”
Indeed, Fury’s confidence in himself remained undiminished. “I feel sorry for Aslanbek Makhmudov,” he said. “I’ll use him as an example.
“I’m going to knock his head off his shoulders.
“I’m ready to rock and roll.”
