Tyson Fury shook off some ring rust on his comeback to earn a unanimous points win over Arslanbek Makhmudov last Saturday and potentially set up a long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua.
The former world heavyweight champion ended his latest retirement and 16-month break by dominating Russian Makhmudov to earn scores of 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Fury’s British rival Joshua watching on from ringside among a crowd of approximately 60,000.
Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs), 37, from the Isle of Man, patiently boxed behind his jab for an efficient rather than spectacular comeback, which showed he still has a sharp boxing brain and good footwork. Makhmudov (21-3, 19 KOs) was an obliging opponent as he marched forward recklessly at times, inviting Fury to pick him off.
It was a return to winning ways for Fury following back-to-back points losses in world title fights to Oleksandr Usyk in his previous two appearances.
After his first win in England since a WBC title defence against Derek Chisora in December 2022, Fury turned his attention to Joshua. Fury is urging his compatriot to fight him next, rather than former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, 40, who recently beat fellow veteran Chisora on points.
Talking to Joshua, who had been filming the fight on his cellphone, following the victory, Fury said: “Next I want to give you the fight you have all been waiting for. I want you, Anthony Joshua, let’s give the fight fans what they want, a Battle of Britain. I, the Gypsy King, challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me next. Do you accept the challenge? Do not run from me this time, let’s dance.”
Joshua didn’t accept Fury’s invitation to join him in the ring and said there was no deal for them to fight.
The 80,000-seat Croke Park stadium in Dublin has emerged as an option to stage the megafight in September should former world champion Joshua, 36, decide against an interim, warmup bout.
There have been various attempts to make Fury vs. Joshua happen in the last six years without success and most recently discussions were put on hold after Joshua was involved in a car accident which killed two of his friends in Nigeria in December.
Joshua, who is currently training with his former conqueror Usyk, might want a warmup fight this summer before facing Fury, which would push their fight back to late 2026.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh