Tonight, Tyson Fury will make his fifth return to boxing as he faces Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The main-event contest will be Fury’s first fight in 16 months, with the Briton having retired (yet again) in the wake of his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, a points defeat in December 2024.
Fury, 37, believes he can become a world heavyweight champion again, and a win over Russia’s Makhmudov will also move the Briton closer to a clash with Anthony Joshua – a domestic fight that is seemingly still on the cards after almost a decade of links between the boxers.
But Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) must beware ring rust as he takes on Makhmudov, 36, who brings a 21-2 record – including 19 KOs – into London for the biggest fight of his life. And will Fury have his father present to support? Maybe not, after John’s claim that their relationship is “destroyed”.
Follow live updates and results from Fury vs Makhmudov and the undercard, including Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis:
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov LIVE
- Tyson Fury boxes Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Fight is Fury’s first in 16 months, after his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk
- Fury, 37, retired for fifth time after that defeat but is back and eyeing a world title
- Anthony Joshua clash also at stake for Fury, as he fights Russia’s Makhmudov, 36
- Undercard: Conor Benn fights Regis Prograis after shock split from Eddie Hearn
- Main card 7pm BST, main event 10pm BST; action streams live on Netflix
Will Fury’s father, John, be present tonight? Tyson isn’t sure
15:56 , Alex PattleThe potential absence of Fury’s father adds a layer of personal drama to tonight’s event.
John Fury previously made headlines at the fight’s launch press conference on 16 February, where he launched an expletive-laden tirade at pundit Carl Froch.
But more recently and pertinently, he told the Daily Mail that his relationship with his son was “destroyed completely”.
Addressing his father’s stance, Fury explained this week: “He’s not happy. He wanted me to retire in 2020 after I beat Deontay Wilder. He is just not happy and doesn’t want me to box.
“I think when it’s your kids and when it’s your close relatives, you feel very concerned for the individual, and he has got his opinions. He just doesn’t want me to do it, he never wanted me to do it for the past six years.”
More here:
Fury unsure if dad will attend comeback fight after ‘destroyed’ relationship claim
Makhmudov spends press conference on phone as event falls flat
15:42 , Alex PattleMakhmudov appeared disinterested in what Fury had to say on Thursday, as the Russian spent much of their press conference on his phone.
Admittedly there is somewhat of a language barrier between the Russian and the Briton, but Makhmudov’s attitude might just have reflected that of viewers as the event failed to spark into life.
It remains to be seen how many tickets have been and will be sold for tonight’s bout, which streams live on Netflix and is sure to deliver solid viewing figures regardless of the attendance.
Still, it has been hard to judge the hype around the fight, with many fans raising eyebrows at another Fury comeback.
And Thursday’s press conference in Canary Wharf fell flat overall, with Makhmudov spending much of the press conference on his phone, typing.
Report:
Arslanbek Makhmudov spends Tyson Fury press conference on phone as event falls flat
Interview: How a Fury poster kickstarted Makhmudov’s ‘mission’
15:27 , Alex PattleMakhmudov actually had a poster of Fury on his wall.
The photo? Of the two of them together, “10 years ago, it was in Canada, he came to support [Billy Joe] Saunders against David Lemieux,” Makhmudov recalls.
He admits that, back then, he could not have dreamed of being paired with Fury one day. “Only God knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, in 1,000 years, everything.”
But, he says: “God gave gave me the signal, I imagine it like a signal.”
Full interview:
How a Tyson Fury poster kickstarted Arslanbek Makhmudov’s ‘mission’
Steve Bunce: Fury’s comeback is a test of much more than his boxing skills
15:11 , Alex PattleA few thoughts from our columnist Steve Bunce:
“Tonight under the stars in north London, Fury returns to the ring after a long absence and has to prove he is still the No 1 attraction.
“For his return, Fury has picked Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having only fought in the UK twice in the last eight years (all his major fights during that time have been in Las Vegas, Riyadh and Los Angeles).
“Tonight’s fight is a genuine test of his pulling power and appeal. Even with Netflix’s involvement and the lack of a pay-per-view approach, with 67,000 seats available, it will be hard to disguise a failure.”
Full preview:
Tyson Fury’s comeback is a genuine test of much more than his boxing ability
A look at the Fury vs Makhmudov undercard tonight
14:53 , Alex PattleSubject to very late changes...
Main card
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov (heavyweight)
Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis (150lb catchweight)
Jeamie Tshikeva (British heavyweight champion) vs Richard Riakporhe
Frazer Clarke vs Justis Huni (heavyweight)
Prelims
Troy Williamson vs Simon Zachenhuber (super-middleweight)
Breyon Gorham vs Eduard Georgiev (super-lightweight)
Mikie Tallon vs Cristopher Rios (flyweight)
Felix Cash vs Liam O’Hare (middleweight)
Hector Lozano vs Sultan Almohammed (super-featherweight)
Elliot Whale vs Tom Hill (welterweight)
Fury vs Makhmudov and Benn vs Prograis odds tonight
14:38 , Alex PattleThe odds for this evening’s main event, per William Hill on Friday, stand as such:
Fury – 2/9; Makhmudov – 7/2; draw – 20/1
Meanwhile, the co-main odds from William Hill yesterday looked like this:
Benn – 1/12; Prograis – 13/2; draw – 25/1
How to watch Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov this evening
14:22 , Alex PattleThe event will stream live exclusively on Netflix worldwide. It will be available to all existing subscribers; in other words, the event will not be a pay-per-view.
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov start time tonight
14:10 , Alex PattleFury vs Makhmudov will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London tonight.
The main card is due to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET), with main-event ring walks from 10pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET).
There will be a bit of preliminary action before the main card gets under way.
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov LIVE: Welcome!
14:00 , Alex PattleTonight, Tyson Fury will make his fifth return to boxing as he faces Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The main-event contest will be Fury’s first fight in 16 months, with the Briton having retired (yet again) in the wake of his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, a points defeat in December 2024.
Fury, 37, believes he can become a world heavyweight champion again, and a win over Russia’s Makhmudov will also move the Briton closer to a clash with Anthony Joshua – a domestic fight that is seemingly still on the cards after almost a decade of links between the boxers.
But Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) must beware ring rust as he takes on Makhmudov, 36, who brings a 21-2 record – including 19 KOs – into London for the biggest fight of his life. And will Fury have his father present to support? Maybe not, after John’s claim that their relationship is “destroyed”.
Follow live updates and results from Fury vs Makhmudov and the undercard, including Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis, right here.
