‘I bring a circus’ – showman Fury in ‘prime’ for Makhmudov fight

Ringmaster Tyson Fury was back to his old tricks, declaring he is “coming back to make boxing great again” and promising to bring his own brand of “circus” to the sport.

The 37-year-old British heavyweight will face Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 11 April.

Fury revelled in the spotlight at Monday’s news conference, delivering his trademark long and winding answers as he came face-to-face with Makhmudov at the north London venue.

“I came back for one reason only and that’s to make boxing great again,” Fury said.

“Since I retired for the fifth time over a year ago, boxing has gone on a downward slope.

“It’s become quite boring and boxing is at its maximum potential when Tyson Fury is actively fighting – and I didn’t say that, the cleverest AI on earth said that, ChatGPT.”

The Morecambe fighter retired in January 2025, shortly after his second defeat by Oleksandr Usyk, but announced his comeback last month.

Fury said the “biggest turning point” was the car crash involving British rival Anthony Joshua, which killed two of Joshua’s friends.

“I thought life is very, very short and precious and fragile and anything can happen at any given moment,” Fury said.

An air-raid siren accompanied 36-year-old Makhmudov’s arrival before a suited-up Fury strolled to the stage, smiling broadly.

“He’s back,” announced Fury, who flew in overnight from a training camp in Thailand.

“I feel fresh. I feel good,” he said. “If I was on the decline I would say it. I’d be the first to say.”

Fury has not fought in Britain since December 2022, when he stopped Derek Chisora at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to retain the WBC title.

He boasts 34 wins from 37 fights, including 24 knockouts, alongside two defeats by Usyk and a draw with Deontay Wilder.

“I bring a circus. I bring an entourage. I bring entertainment. I bring action. I bring cameras,” Fury added, insisting he was still in his “prime”.

Asked for a prediction, the Gypsy King forecast a sixth-round knockout with his “right hand”.

Makhmudov, meanwhile, kept it respectful and would not be drawn into insults or predictions.

He has won 21 of his 23 professional contests, with 19 victories by knockout. His most recent outing was a win over Briton Dave Allen in October 2025.

Nicknamed The Lion, Makhmudov recalled meeting Fury in Canada about a decade ago and described him as a “legend”, but said he is now focused on building his own “legacy”.

It was vintage Fury – long answers and drifting metaphors. At one point he compared himself to a honeybee.

There is a genuine question over whether he can fill Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a marquee dance partner; Makhmudov is not a crossover name.

But it will be Fury’s first fight broadcast on Netflix, which has a global subscriber base of more than 325 million. With the second series of At Home With The Furys landing this spring, the platform offers a ready-made audience.

One subplot is the corner. Fury has recently worked with SugarHill Steward but -speaking on the TV broadcast – claimed he will not be trained by anyone for this bout. Whether that materialises or is simply more theatre remains to be seen.

Beyond April, the focus quickly shifts to what comes next. Fury wants to become a three-time world champion. WBO champion Fabio Wardley faces Daniel Dubois on 9 May, and the winner could offer a direct route back to the top.

A trilogy with Oleksandr Usyk remains Fury’s preferred option, while a long-discussed fight with Joshua lingers in the background.