Frank Warren reveals potential opponent for Tyson Fury as 2026 return plans continue to emerge

Tyson Fury is due to make his ring return in 2026

The former two-time world heavyweight champion has had a legendary career inside the squared circle. 

With huge wins over the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder, while putting on back-to-back pay-per-view battles against Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KO's), Tyson Fury's (34-2-1, 24 KO's) legacy in the heavyweight division is already cemented.

However, following his second defeat to the Ukrainian, ‘The Gyspy King’ revealed he had decided to put his fighting days behind him for good. 

It’s not the first time Fury has announced his retirement from the sport, though he stressed that his decision was final. 

Unsurprisingly to many in the boxing world, the divisive figurehead has backtracked on his word once again, revealing that he will make his ring return in 2026. 

Originally, it was rumoured that the 36-year-old would return to face long-time adversary Anthony Joshua, though following ‘AJ’s devastating car accident in Nigeria, and with rumours now suggesting the former heavyweight champion is set to retire, Fury will likely have to look elsewhere for his 2026 comeback. 

One man who has been placed in front of Fury is Arslanbek Makhmudov, the fierce Russian, who is coming off the back of a win over british fan-favourite Dave Allen and will be seen as a tough, but necessary comeback test for a rusty Tyson Fury. 

Speaking on the proposed bout, Fury’s manager, Frank Warren, has revealed that this matchup is a very real possibility. 

“I agree with that [it makes sense] … [Tyson] is a very intelligent guy,” Warren told Box Nation.

“He knows what he wants to do and how to get there. Of course, there’s a discussion over opponents and so forth, but he’s not stupid … We may do that [Makhmudov fight].”

The other major matchup floating around is a showdown with recently crowned world champion Fabio Wardley. 

Both Wardley and Fury have shown keen interest in the clash, but with the extremely dangerous Wardley currently at peak performance, his British adversary may want a tune-up fight before pursuing the pay-per-view showdown.