Retirement doesn’t seem to be lasting for Tyson Fury. “The Gypsy King” is ending his fifth retirement this Saturday when he steps into the ring to face Arslanbek Makhmudov in the heavyweight main event of the card set to stream live on Netflix.
A former two-time heavyweight world champion and one of the greatest fighters of his generation, Fury entered his most recent retirement following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk. The first Usyk fight was a long-awaited clash to crown the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era and Usyk was knocked out by a split decision on the strength of a ninth-round knockdown.
The second Usyk bout was less competitive and Usyk took a clear decision. A month later, Fury announced his retirement.
As they did in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022.
So, what motivated Fury to return to the ring again, proving so many fans and media who believed his latest retirement wrong? Speaking at the pre-fight press conference, Fury attributed his comeback to boredom and Anthony Joshua’s tragic car accident in Nigeria, which killed two of Joshua’s trainers.
“You know, people always question retirement for me,” Fury said in the pre-fight press conference. “I have retired five times and done so whole-heartedly five times. Have come back successfully four times before. We’ll find out on Saturday night if I’ll be successful the fifth time, which I’m confident I will be. Make no mistake, whenever I step away from boxing, I have no intention of returning. However, after a few months I get bored of normal life, dropping the kids off to school, taking the dog for a walk, that kind of thing. Things. I miss sports, you know? I miss boxing, I miss everything that comes with big fights.
“This time, there were some defining moments for me that made me decide to come back. One of them was the accident of my long-time rival Anthony Joshua in Nigeria. When I heard the news, it was very sad and I thought to myself, ‘You know, life is too short.’ I’ve been a big proponent that there is no tomorrow. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. When something like this happens, it definitely proves that there is no tomorrow, so you have to live every day as if it is your last and enjoy. “I still love the game and I know I can still do it, so I came back.”
Makhmudov is seen as a light touch for Fury’s return. Standing 6-foot-5 and starting his career at 18-0, Makhmudov suffered a fourth-round TKO loss to Agit Kabayel in the first tough test of his career in 2023.
While Kabayel is an elite heavyweight contender, the same cannot be said about Guido Vianello, who defeated Makhmudov by TKO after two bouts.
Fury has been known to struggle in other bouts in which he was expected to run away, however, including a narrow split decision victory over former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou in a bout in which Fury suffered a third-round knockout, and a 2019 fight with Otto Wallin where Fury suffered a cut above his right eye that required 47 stitches and was easily knocked out by Fury. Could have been a TKO loss.
In the co-main event, top Zuffa signing Connor Benn makes his debut when he takes on veteran Regis Prograis at welterweight. The 29-year-old Benn avenged the only defeat of his professional career by defeating his long-time rival Chris Eubank Jr. in November. Their first fight produced incredible theater that led to Fight of the Year awards from multiple media outlets. Benn came back with a strong performance in the rematch and left no doubt who was the better fighter. Now, Benn is looking to reach title contention in a new promotion in Progress against a veteran whose best days are behind him.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the fight card set for Saturday night at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before giving predictions and expert picks on the main event below.
Fury vs. Makhmudov fight card, odds
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
- Tyson Fury -600 vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov +400, Heavyweight
- Conor Benn -1600 vs. Regis Prograis +800, welterweight
- Richard Riekporhe -300 vs. Jamie Tshikewa +225, Heavyweight
- Justice Huni -700 vs. Fraser Clark +450, Heavyweight
- Simon Zachenhuber -1000 vs. Pavel August +600, super middleweight
- Breonna Gorham -2000 vs. Eduardo Costa +900, junior welterweight
- Mickey Tallon -1600 vs. Leandro Blank +800, flyweight
- Felix Cash -900 vs. Liam O’Hare +550, middleweight
- Elliot Whaley -1800 vs. Tom Hill +850, welterweight
Where to watch Fury vs Makhmudov
- date: Saturday, April 11 Place: tottenham hotspur stadium–london
- Start time: 2pm ET
- Where to watch: Netflix (subscription required)
Prediction
There is no mystery in this fight. If Fury is anywhere close to improving his game, he will be too much for Makhmudov. Makhmudov is a courageous player, while Fury has always been adept at footwork and handspeed, which is surprising given his physique. Fury has the ability to walk away from this fight whenever he wants to do so.
For Makhmudov, the only path to victory appears to be to land a big punch that puts Fury down and out. Although Fury has suffered many defeats in his career, he has never been knocked out, and he has only lost to Usyk in his career. Makhmudov is not Usyk and Fury is a much better fighter than Makhmudov. Pick: Tyson Fury via TKO3
Who wins in Fury vs. Makhmudov, and which method of victory prop offers massive value? Visit SportsLine now to see Josh Nagel’s best bets for Saturday, April 11Heavyweight Combat, all from the combat sports expert who has covered the sport for over 20 years, and find out.
