Tyson Fury returns April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov, his first fight on British soil in nearly four years, facing a pressure heavyweight who wants to force mistakes rather than wait for them. Fury skipped the soft return and picked someone who walks forward and punches through the pocket, which means his distance control and clinch timing need to function immediately or he’ll spend rounds defending instead of dictating.
Makhmudov brings straight power and commitment. He sets his feet, advances, and looks to shorten fights. That style removes the grace period most fighters get after a layoff. Fury will need his jab working early, his forearms positioned inside, and his legs moving him off angles before Makhmudov can plant and fire. If he hesitates or leans too long, Makhmudov will close distance and turn this into something harder than a comeback fight should be.
“Heart’s always been and always will be in boxing,” Fury said. “Someone go tell the king that the ace is back.” The words sound familiar, but the opponent choice says more than the quote. Fury could have taken easier work. He chose resistance instead.
Turki Alalshikh confirmed the fight simply: “We are happy that Tyson decided to come out of retirement for what should be an exciting heavyweight clash against Makhmudov.” No promises beyond the pairing itself.
What Makhmudov wants to do
Makhmudov was direct about his plan. “I’m coming to deliver a war,” he said. “Tyson Fury has been a big champion. I will be more ready than ever to leave with a massive W.” He is not coming to feel out rounds or respect space. He is coming to push Fury backward and see how much timing remains after time away.
That approach forces Fury to be sharp immediately. He cannot afford to give ground early or let Makhmudov establish rhythm with his feet set. The jab needs to work as a brake, not just a range finder. The clinch needs to interrupt momentum before Makhmudov can throw combinations through openings. If Fury tries to rely on reflexes without controlling distance first, he’ll end up defending more than he wants.
Whether timing survived the layoff
This fight does not test Fury’s name. It tests whether his tools still work against a heavyweight who refuses to wait. Makhmudov will walk forward, set his feet, and look to break Fury’s timing before it settles. That puts a hard question on Fury straight away: can he still control space with his legs and jab, or does he end up leaning too often and giving ground under pressure.
If Fury cannot slow Makhmudov by the middle rounds, this turns from a managed return into a fight where survival replaces control. April 11 measures whether distance control and clinch positioning still function after months away, or whether the layoff cost him the small margins that keep pressure fighters from walking through the pocket.
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Last Updated on 01/28/2026
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