The Morecambe scrapper announced his retirement from boxing last January, but was quick to perform a drastic U-turn ahead of a 2026 return to the ring
Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury is still in his “prime” years as the former two-time heavyweight champion targets a return to the ring this year.
The ‘Gypsy King’ stunned fans last January after announcing his retirement from boxing – just weeks after losing to long-time rival Oleksandr Usyk for a second time. Six months later, though, the Morecambe brawler performed a drastic U-turn after expressing his desire to compete again in 2026.
Fury has been seen training over in Thailand these past few weeks alongside fellow professional boxer Kevin Lerena, and is targeting a return to the ring before the end of April ahead of a possible summer showdown with a big name. The Brit turns 38 this year, and many are wondering what he has got left to give the sport.
That said, boxing promoter Hearn is adamant that Fury still has some good days left in him within the sport of boxing. “It’s an interesting one,” he told Sky Sports News. “I guess on one hand, you want to prepare yourself for a challenge against an elite guy. And on the other hand, you’re coming back after a long layoff. You maybe don’t want too much of a taxing challenge.
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“I know some of the names that are in the mix, and I’ll leave that to Turki [Al-Sheikh] and Tyson Fury to mention those guys. We’ve got guys that would be up for the challenge. But, on the whole, great to see him back. He’s gone from not really posting on social media to every time I pick up my phone, there’s a new Tyson Fury story.
“Boxing can save you at many different stages in your life. I don’t think he was at a stage in his life where he needed saving, but you could tell that boxing once saved him, probably many times and, actually, now he looks happier than ever and full of life. Even away from boxing, I think physical training is the greatest form of mental help that you can get in so many different situations. And I think Fury looks like he’s buzzing at the moment. He’s over in Thailand, is it? Or wherever he is. He’s running every morning. He’s inspiring me! I look at it, I go, ‘good on you’. We’ve had a lot to say over the years, but I love the fact that he’s back in boxing.”
He later added: “I think he’s an incredible fighter. I think he’s brilliant for the game. And he can be involved in some huge fights. And by the way, he’s still in his prime. He lost two very close fights to Oleksandr Usyk It’s not like, ‘oh, he’s finished now’. So yeah, great to see him back. It’d be interesting to see who he faces. I think they’re talking potentially around April time.”
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Fury appears locked in amid talks of a return, and has recently revealed that a major announcement is imminent. He said in a video uploaded to Instagram: “Just done a brutal, brutal session here. Second session of the day, I’m not gonna lie that was tough.
“Did a good 12 rounds in the gym, it was about 34-35 degrees, sweating alive! I’ve got my electrolytes here to get all the goodness back in my body after sweating it all out. It’s been a really positive day again. I suppose when you wake up in 30 degrees everyday it’s definitely going to be positive.
“I’m very motivated, very happy, and I’m in a fantastic, fantastic place mentally, physically and emotionally. Just working on stuff nice and steady. The return of the Mac is imminent. Can’t wait for a fantastic, beautiful year.” He captioned the footage: “Work update 2026 lets go, massive announcement incoming.”
Fury has the itch to fight regularly again after his manager, Spencer Brown, teased his star client could fight three times this year – something he has not done since 2018. The frontrunner for Fury’s comeback opponent is Arslanbek Makhmudov. The Russian’s name has been mentioned these past few weeks. The 6’6 giant’s last appearance came in a decision win over British boxing veteran David Allen back in October.
He was tipped to fight Hearn’s fighter Anthony Joshua after reports emerged that the two would likely clash this summer. However, a possible all-British dust-up appears touch and go after ‘AJ’ was recently involved in a tragic car crash in Nigeria – which claimed the lives of two of his close friends and teammates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Speaking to The Mirror, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren admitted he is not sure what the future holds for the pair following the fatal incident – and has now ruled out any chances of the two stars meeting as early in 2026 as was initially planned.
“Well, boxing will certainly be the last thing on his [Joshua’s] mind, right now. He’s obviously lost two team members who were good, close friends who are now no longer with us, so that will be a big loss to him,” he said. “I don’t know the extent of his injuries, but it’s also how mentally this will affect him. Boxing again will be the last thing on his mind, but tragedy can affect people in different ways; sometimes, you need something you can really focus on to pull through to the other side.”
