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However, it was always expected that Fury would return, likely for a huge money-spinning showdown with long-time rival Anthony Joshua, and he repeatedly hinted as much before officially announcing his comeback in January, with an April date against Makhmudov confirmed.
Makhmudov, 36, is a Russian heavyweight based in Canada who has a professional record of 21-2 with 19 knockouts. He last fought in Sheffield in October, when he beat David Allen by unanimous decision.
Both of those defeats have come in his last five bouts, with Makhmudov stopped by now interim WBC champion Agit Kabayel in the fourth round in Riyadh in 2023 on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card ahead of Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker and Joshua vs Otto Wallin, losing his WBC-NABF and WBA Inter-Continental titles.
Arslanbek Makhmudov picked Tyson Fury up at their final press conference
AFP via Getty Images
After bouncing back with an early knockout of Miljan Rovcanin, he was then upset by Italy’s Guido Vianello in the summer of 2024 in a rematch of their World Series of Boxing clash after gruesome swelling around his left eye forced the ringside doctor to wave off the bout at the start of round eight.
Makhmudov responded with a first-round knockout of Jamaican Ricardo Brown in Quebec City, before travelling to the UK to defeat Allen.
Fury’s comeback comes amid yet more speculation that a fight with Joshua has been agreed, with promoter Kalle Sauerland claiming before Wilder’s win over Derek Chisora last weekend that it would take place in Dublin in the autumn, which was denied by Eddie Hearn.
Joshua last fought by knocking out Jake Paul in Miami in December, though his boxing future looked uncertain after he sustained minor injuries in a car accident in Nigeria in which two of his close friends and team members died.
Hearn has said that they have been “very focused” on making the Fury fight, but did not rule out Joshua – who was in attendance at the O2 Arena – potentially facing Wilder, who called him out after edging out Chisora in a thrilling contest by split decision. Joshua is expected to be ringside for Fury vs Makhmudov.
Fury vs Makhmudov fight date and venue
Fury vs Makhmudov takes place on Saturday April 11, 2026 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
Fury vs Makhmudov fight time and ring walks
Saturday night’s main card is due to begin at 7pm BST, which is 2pm ET and 11am PT in the United States.
Fury and Makhmudov are expected to make their ring walks after 10pm BST, 5pm ET and 2pm PT. The fight should be underway at approximately 10:30pm BST (5:30pm ET, 2:30pm PT), but those timings are subject to change.
How to watch Fury vs Makhmudov
TV channel and live stream: Fury vs Makhmudov is being shown live and exclusive around the world on Netflix, included in regular subscriptions at no extra cost. A subscription to Netflix currently costs from £5.99 a month in the UK.
Live blog: You won’t miss anything on fight night with Standard Sport’s live blog.
Fury vs Makhmudov undercard
Jeamie ‘TKV’ Tshikeva defends the British heavyweight title won against Frazer Clarke for the first time as he battles Richard Riakporhe, while Clarke is on the comeback trail against Justis Huni.
Former British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Felix Cash is also on the bill, taking on Liam O’Hare.
Connor Benn heads the undercard
Nick Potts/PA Wire
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov
Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis
Jeamie ‘TKV’ Tshikeva vs Richard Riakporhe
Frazer Clarke vs Justis Huni
Felix Cash vs Liam O’Hare
Simon Zachenhuber vs Pawel August
Breyon Gorham vs Eduardo Costa
Mikie Tallon vs Leandro Blanc
Hector Lozano vs Sultan Almohammed
Francis Gorman vs Ryan Labourn
Fury vs Makhmudov prediction
There will no doubt be an awful lot of ring rust to shake off for Fury, who has not fought for 16 months and spent the entirety of 2025 outside the ring.
You would certainly not expect the self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ to be at anywhere close to his best after such an extended absence, though as usual has promised a “brutal knockout” to announce his latest return.
Makhmudov is tough, aggressive and a hard-hitter who only gives up a couple of inches in height to Fury and who will view this as a massive opportunity to make a statement on the very biggest stage.
Tyson Fury will hope to inflict a third career defeat on Arslanbek Makhmudov
Getty Images for Netflix
However, defeats by Kabayel and Vianello have also exposed his vulnerabilities and he will have been disappointed not to have stopped Allen. Fury is a whole new level of challenge that he has never faced before.
Fury vs Makhmudov latest odds
Fury to win on points or by decision: 7/2
Fury to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 1/2
Makhmudov to win on points or by decision: 13/1
Makhmudov to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 6/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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