Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has revealed that the deaths of two close friends of long-time rival Anthony Joshua played a significant role in his decision to come out of retirement and resume his boxing career.
Fury is set to return to the ring on April 11 after a 15-month break, where he will face Russian-born heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The 37-year-old had stepped away from the sport following his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk at the close of 2024. He remained inactive throughout the following year before announcing his latest comeback on January 4.
His decision to return came just a week after fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua was involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Reflecting on the moment that influenced his change of heart, Fury said on Monday, “Tomorrow might not ever come, and I suppose the biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua.
“You should never put things off until tomorrow, or next year, or next week, because tomorrow is not promised to nobody.”
The highly anticipated showdown between Fury and Joshua, which many fans had hoped would take place in 2026, has now been delayed, with immediate focus shifting to Fury’s upcoming bout.
Fury, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, also stated that his return is driven by a desire to restore excitement and prestige to the sport. According to him, boxing has lost some of its appeal during his absence.
“The truth of the matter is I came back for one reason only, and that’s to make boxing great again,” added Fury.
“Since I’ve retired for the fifth time over a year ago, boxing for me has gone on a downward slope, and it’s become quite boring.”
The British fighter’s comeback sets the stage for another chapter in his eventful career, as he seeks not only redemption in the heavyweight division but also to reignite public interest in the sport.
What you should know
Tyson Fury has confirmed that the tragic deaths of two close friends of Anthony Joshua influenced his decision to return to boxing after 15 months away.
Fury will fight Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, following his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024.
While a potential Fury vs Joshua fight remains uncertain, Fury says his goal is to revive excitement and prestige in the heavyweight division.
