Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov: Fight time, undercard, prediction, odds

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.

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 renewed suggestions that it could take place in Dublin in the autumn.

Joshua last fought by knocking out Jake Paul in Miami in December, though his boxing future looked uncertain after he subsequently sustained minor injuries in a car accident in Nigeria in which two of his close friends and team members died.

Eddie Hearn has said that they have been “very focused” on making the Fury fight, but also did not rule out Joshua – who was in attendance at the O2 Arena – potentially facing another long-time rival in Deontay Wilder, who called him out in person after defeating Derek Chisora in a thrilling contest by split decision last weekend.