The three-time world heavyweight champion occupies a hallowed place in boxing history. They are indeed rare and only the best can reach that position. With Tyson Fury’s return to the sport, could he join the company that August?
Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, and Vitali Klitschko are legendary fighters who preceded Fury in becoming three-time heavyweight world champions.
Fury is a two-time reigning world heavyweight titlist, defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and Deontay Wilder five years later.
Fury retired early last year after being denied undisputed glory with two losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. However, he chose to return and is scheduled to face Aslanbek Makhmudov in England on April 11th.
His goal is to defeat Mahmudov and get a big fight in late 2026. Fury’s main British rival is Anthony Joshua, but it is unclear what AJ’s next move will be as he recovers from the loss of two friends and sustained minor injuries in a road accident in Nigeria.
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Tyson Fury has announced his return to the ring on Instagram, confirming that he will face Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.
The four major world titles are currently held between Usyk and Ipswich’s Fabio Wardley. The Ukrainian is the unified WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight champion, and Wardley is a WBO titlist.
Is Fury going to return to the top of the division and win the heavyweight title again? Top trainer and boxing expert Joe Gallagher believes that is the purpose of Fury’s return, telling Sky Sports: “Maybe that’s what motivates him. Whoever the opponent is, we have to wait and see.”
Becoming a three-time heavyweight champion is a daunting feat, which is why so few have ever achieved it, but Gallagher believes Fury is capable of it.
“It all depends on the situation,” said the Manchester trainer. “There’s talk about Fabio Wardley, it’s a good fight.
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Sky Sports’ Andy Scott explains why Tyson Fury is coming out of retirement and provides insight into his opponent Arslanbek Mahmudov.
“Obviously the big fight would be AJ, but in that case would it be third time lucky with Usyk? He has a lot of options open to him.
“I’m not going to ignore him. I think he has the ability to be a three-time world champion.”
However, winning a trilogy battle with Usyk would be difficult. “It depends on how much time Usyk has to catch up. He’s also on time off himself,” Gallagher added.
“What are the chances (of Fury winning)? You can’t rule it out at heavyweight. Will it happen? Will it happen? I don’t know. I don’t know if I’ll ever meet someone who just knows my number.”
Even April’s comeback fight with Mahmudov may not always be straightforward.
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Sky Sports Boxing’s Andy Scott and Gary Logan analyze the possibility of a heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Fabio Wardley.
“He’s got to get on the ball because this kid’s coming in with both hands to take his chances. A lot of credit to Tyson Fury for taking on that type of opponent,” Gallagher said. “He comes back with a difficult opponent.
“(Makhmudov) comes forward in a straight line. I think Tyson Fury’s angles, side-to-side (movement) and boxing IQ (can win). But he can’t sit upright on the ropes because this kid can throw straight arrows at him with a good right hand.”
“Fair play to him. He hasn’t had an easy battle to come back. He’s someone to be respected,” Gallagher added. “He’s been training in the snow.
“We’ve seen some matches where (Fury) has come back, some where he’s been cut in or not raced.”
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Tyson Fury has unveiled a new training workout ahead of his boxing return. Instagram credit: @tysonfury.
But Gallagher welcomes Fury’s return. In his absence, boxing became a quieter sport.
“I think he’ll enjoy it while he spends the rest of his career here, whether it’s 12 months or 12 weeks or whatever,” he said. “You know, he wakes up one morning and he’s retired and he’s packing it up.
“Boxing is lacking in character. If you had a guy like Tyson Fury, he’s character, he’s a good fighter and he’d probably want a chance to be a three-time world champion.”
