LONDON — Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will come out of retirement to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, officials confirmed Wednesday.
The announcement came from Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation. A venue for the bout has not yet been revealed.
“Excited to be back. Heart has always been, and always will be, in boxing,” Fury said.
The British boxer retired last year after losing his second fight to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024. Prior to those bouts, Fury held an undefeated record of 34 wins, one draw, and no losses in 35 fights.
Makhmudov, a Russian heavyweight based in Canada, also expressed enthusiasm for the matchup. “I’m coming to deliver a war. Tyson Fury has been a big champion. I will be more ready than ever to leave with a massive W,” he said.
Fury first rose to prominence with a 2015 points victory over Wladimir Klitschko, earning the WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO titles. After a hiatus, he returned for a trilogy against Deontay Wilder, which included a draw and two wins, eventually capturing the WBC title.
This will mark Fury’s latest return after previous retirements, including one following his 2022 victory over Dillian Whyte.