Fury's Vulnerable Return Raises Questions Ahead of Potential Joshua Showdown
Arslanbek Makhmudov recently made headlines by wrestling a bear in Dagestan, but on Saturday night, he quickly learned that wrestling Tyson Fury would have been a better option than boxing him. This fight highlighted Fury's flaws, which, fortunately for him, overshadowed Makhmudov's own shortcomings. In what many considered an underwhelming comeback, Fury, emerging from his fifth retirement, returned to the ring after sixteen months since his last bout against Oleksandr Usyk. This match served as a setup for a long-anticipated clash with compatriot Anthony Joshua, who was present in the front row. However, Fury’s performance left much to be desired. The fight took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Makhmudov struggled with labored movements, throwing punches that Fury easily evaded. However, an early right hand from Makhmudov did manage to catch Fury's attention. As the rounds progressed: Fury displayed a passive start, throwing mainly jabs. He gradually shifted gears, landing effective punches as the fight went on. Despite some moments of vulnerability, Fury managed to control the fight, but not without evidence of his own aging skills. By the later rounds, Fury's uppercuts became more effective, yet it was evident that Makhmudov's fatigue played a significant role in this. Fury's performance raised concerns about his readiness against Joshua, especially given Joshua's own recent struggles, including personal losses and inconsistent fight outcomes. As Joshua hinted at a possible matchup, doubts lingered about whether Fury vs Joshua would materialize. With both fighters needing this bout more than ever, the urgency to finalize it before either fighter's capabilities diminish is clear.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-04-11