Spencer Brown, Tyson Fury's manager, has named a surprise boxer as the most likely candidate for The Gypsy King's comeback fight.
Shortly after his rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk back in December 2024, Fury confirmed that he would be retiring from boxing and spending some time away from the media.
However, as expected Fury now looks set to return to the ring later this year, with the former heavyweight champion confirming in January that he will return to fight in 2026.
Of course, speculation regarding exactly when Fury will return and who will be his opponent, has been rife with some reports suggesting we could finally get a blockbuster clash with fellow British great Anthony Joshua.
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But now, it appears we finally have some concrete details on Fury's return, as his manager Brown has revealed the current plans for Fury's next bout.
It is widely expected that Fury, who is coming off consecutive points losses to heavyweight champion Usyk, will take a tune-up fight in the early part of 2026 before taking on another of the big names in the division later in the year.
According to Brown, there are as many as five or six different names being considered for Fury's comeback fight, with Arslanbek Makhmudov among the most likely candidates.
"We're looking at five or six different opponents," Brown told Sky Sports News. "[Makhmudov] is in the top three or four, most definitely.
"That's not for me to announce. The promoters will announce that; everybody is working very hard to get this fight under way."
In his last fight Makhmudov defeated British heavyweight David Allen in a dominant points win at the Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, claiming the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title.
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He boats a record of 21 wins, 19 of which are via knockout, and just two losses at the hands of Agit Kabayel in December 2023 and Guido Vianello in August 2024.
As for when the fight could take place, Brown promised that the official announcement is coming soon, but revealed that April is their current target.
He added: "We're really down the road with the contract and an announcement is imminent. You will see Tyson back in the ring; we're looking to get out there in April."
For many fans, the British heavyweight clash with Joshua is the most exciting fight potentially available to Fury when he returns to the sport.
However, after Joshua was involved in a car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends last month, it remains to be seen if the former two-time champion will return to the ring or decide to hang up the gloves.
But for Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, Fury's comeback is nothing but good news for the sport.
"It's great to see him back," Hearn told Sky Sports News. "He's gone from not really posting on social media to every time I pick up my phone, there's a new Tyson Fury story.
"And I think Fury looks like he's buzzing at the moment. He's over in Thailand, is it? Or wherever he is. He's running every morning.
"He's inspiring me! I look at it, I go, 'good on you'. We've had a lot to say over the years, but I love the fact that he's back in boxing."
Topics: Tyson Fury, Boxing, Heavyweight Boxing
Ben McCrum