Tyson Fury will make his fifth return to boxing tonight as he faces Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The main-event contest will be Fury’s first fight in 16 months, with the Briton having retired (yet again) in the wake of his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, a points defeat in December 2024.
Fury, 37, believes he can become a world heavyweight champion again, and a win over Russia’s Makhmudov will also move the Briton closer to a clash with Anthony Joshua – a domestic fight that is seemingly still on the cards after almost a decade of links between the boxers.
But Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) must beware ring rust as he takes on Makhmudov, 36, who brings a 21-2 record – including 19 KOs – into London for the biggest fight of his life. And will Fury have his father present to support? Maybe not, after John’s claim that their relationship is “destroyed”.
Follow live updates and results from Fury vs Makhmudov and the undercard, including Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis:
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov LIVE
- Tyson Fury boxes Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Fight is Fury’s first in 16 months, after his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk
- Fury, 37, retired for fifth time after that defeat but is back and eyeing a world title
- Anthony Joshua clash also at stake for Fury, as he fights Russia’s Makhmudov, 36
- Undercard: Conor Benn fights Regis Prograis after shock split from Eddie Hearn
- Main card 7pm BST, main event 10pm BST; action streams live on Netflix
Huni throwing huge shots in bid to halt Clarke’s momentum
19:42 , Alex PattleRound seven
Huni paws at his nose, which is often a sign of a broken one – but not for certain.
Clarke’s jab is landing consistently here, but he must stay aware. Grazing cross from Huni, who is close with an overhand, too.
Now a brutal body shot from Huni, who threw that with serious intent. He’s trying to arrest momentum but must beware punching himself out.
Clarke walks onto an uppercut late in the round.
Huni stays in it as fight ticks into second half
19:38 , Alex PattleRound six
Into the second half of this fight. Huni, in my opinion, won the first few rounds but has given up the last two for sure.
Clarke stays on the front foot in this round, but Huni keeps him honest with some heavy counters.
Oh! Big overhand left from Huni, from an orthodox stance, interestingly. Maybe you could call it an aggressive hook, at an angle...
Clarke does well to eat that and put pressure on Huni, who is punished with jabs and body shots late in the frame.
Clarke keeps building against Huni
19:34 , Alex PattleRound five
A well-measured right hand to the body by Clarke, then a left uppercut. Huni misses with his own uppercut but grazes the body with a hook.
Deep breath from Huni, who is trying not to get trapped on the ropes. Stern jabs from Clarke, who is on the hunt but not rushing...
Strong cross from Huni, who follows up by digging a left hook to the body.
Clarke finds rhythm and has Huni on wobbly legs!
19:30 , Alex PattleRound four
A clash of heads, but no cuts, it seems.
Huni misses with an overhand, sees a one-two blocked, and just covers up in time to dampen the worst of Clarke’s counter.
Clarke backs up the Aussie, who leans back to ride with a cross.
Oh! Clarke is starting to find his rhythm now, landing nice two-punch salvos. Huni is very much still game, however, firing back in between.
Did Huni’s legs just buckle from a right hook?? Seemingly, and he grabs Clarke now, before eating a spiteful cross in the final seconds of the round!
Clarke and Huni will go into the fifth round, with the Briton suddenly on top...
Clarke boxing fairly well but Huni a step ahead
19:26 , Alex PattleRound three
Attritional boxing now, lots of clinch work from both fighters.
Clarke lands a good right hook. Now he’s tagged by a right hand up top but still gets off his own right to the body.
Clean cross by Huni, landing to the head, then a whipping right hook to the body.
Nice rear uppercut from Huni now. He adds a couple more shots and eats one in return.
Clarke struggling with Huni jab as Aussie invests in body, too
19:22 , Alex PattleRound two
Clarke with a decent left hook upstairs, but Huni replies with one of his own, then a jab to the body of the Briton.
Now a longer combination from Huni, but Clarke fires back in the middle. Clarke adds a few body shots as well.
Both men land to the body. Clarke seems to be seeing the jab to the head too late.
Both guys land while in the clinch. More body shots from Huni after they separate.
Some slick jabs from Clarke. He’s landing his own quite well, but as I said, he’s struggling a little with Huni’s, too.
Good counter left hook by Clarke late in the round.
Frazer Clarke and Justis Huni in must-win heavyweight clash
19:18 , Alex PattleRound one
Both men stand orthodox. Clarke takes the centre of the ring at once, and flicks out some heavy jabs. Lots of read movement from Huni, who slips off the centre line and appears to land a jab of his own.
Huni’s jab looks the quicker of the two. He lands a right hook to the body and a left hook to the head. Same kind of combination again after he eats a jab from Clarke.
A slower spell now, until they throw simultaneous jabs, with Huni’s landing first. Clarke with a body shot, before he’s tagged upstairs in the clinch.
Another body-to-head combination from Huni, who narrowly evades a left hook up top by leaning back. Another body hook by Huni. Will these add up?
Now a sharp jab to the nose of Clarke. Clarke corners Huni but sees a left hook blocked before getting caught off guard by an uppercut, nice!
Frazer Clarke and Justis Huni in must-win heavyweight clash
19:11 , Alex PattleOkay, the main card begins with a heavyweight appetiser between Frazer Clarke and Justis Huni.
This should be fun. Both men are in must-win territory here.
Last time out, Clarke was outpointed by Jeamie TKV as he fell to a second loss in three fights, while Huni’s undefeated record was blemished by a Fabio Wardley KO.
Quick ring walks from Australia’s Huni and ex-Team GB Olympian Clarke.
Fury vs Makhmudov main card minutes away
18:59 , Alex PattleAlright then, the main card should begin any moment now.
It’s a pretty strong card to be fair, with two interesting heavyweight contests before the main event itself, as well as Conor Benn’s clash with Regis Prograis.
Anthony Joshua set to be ringside tonight
18:52 , Alex PattleOn that note, we have heard that Anthony Joshua will be here tonight, almost certainly ringside for the main event.
If Fury wins, do we get a face-off?
There’s talk that “AJ” will box in the summer before taking on Fury, but if the “Gypsy King” wins without looking amazing tonight, maybe Joshua and his team push for the Fury fight asap.
Hope for Joshua vs Fury? Andre Ward thinks so
18:46 , Alex PattleAndre Ward, speaking on the Netflix broadcast: “I like where the heavyweights are, a little bit older, now they’re looking at each other and thinking, ‘I’ll fight you.’
“Because they’re older, it’ll make for better fights. Less movement, [and] none of them are undefeated now.”
Except Usyk, of course, but he’s referring to the likes of Joshua, Fury and Wilder.
Update on Matchroom’s alleged Huni issue
18:39 , Alex PattleDan Rafael has already provided an update on the Huni situation (see the post below), saying on X:
“Spoke to Spencer Brown of Goldstar Promotions as it relates to the Huni issue.
“He said he is the co-promoter of Huni and that the whole thing with Matchroom ‘is very silly, very petty and it will be sorted out.’”
Fury vs Makhmudov: Main card up next
18:25 , Alex PattleHere’s how the main card looks:
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov (heavyweight)
Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis (150lb catchweight)
Jeamie Tshikeva (C) vs Richard Riakporhe (British heavyweight title)
Frazer Clarke vs Justis Huni (heavyweight)
BUT, boxing reporter Dan Rafael reported this today...
“BREAKING: Matchroom Boxing on Saturday, hours before heavyweight Justis Huni is supposed to face Frazer Clarke on the #FuryMakhmudov card in London, sent Goldstar Promotions and Tasman Fighters a legal letter claiming it still has Huni under exclusive contract.
“Matchroom claims after Huni’s last fight, a KO loss to Fabio Wardley, that it elected to continue its deal with Huni and that he is on fight No. 5 of a six-fight deal.
“Matchroom accuses them of tortious interference with its agreement and says it was never informed of the Clarke fight and has not given its consent to Huni to participate. It is threatening go to Netflix claiming it is about to air a fighter in breach of his contract with Matchroom, which would open Netflix to liability.
“Matchroom said it tried to work things out and sent a draft amendment in recent days saying it would allow the fight under certain conditions but has not heard back from the other promoters.”
Any last-minute threat to Clarke vs Huni?? We’re looking into it.
Fury vs Makhmudov undercard: Gorham stops Costa!
18:15 , Alex PattleGorham has looked good through five rounds, with Costa appearing lethargic now and looking really bothered by Gorham’s jabs.
Gorham spears him with a right cross before missing with a left hook. Back comes Costa with a decent right cross, but he eats a trio of jabs for his trouble.
Oh! Big uppercut from Gorham, then a left hook, then further short lefts with Costa backed up to the ropes...
And the ref steps in! All over.
Fury vs Makhmudov undercard results so far
18:12 , Alex PattleFelix Cash stopped Liam O’Hare in the second round after dropping him three times, while Simon Zachenhuber was beaten for the first time as he suffered a points loss to Pawel August.
Mikie Tallon knocked out Leandro Jose Blanc in round one, Elliot Whale stopped Tom Hill in the fourth round, and Sultan Almohammed beat Hector Avila Lozano in round three.
Does Carl Froch agree with Malik Scott on Makhmudov’s odds?
18:03 , Alex PattleFormer world champ Froch told News Betting Sites UK: “It’s a potential bad fight for Fury, if Fury’s not taking it seriously.
“But from what I’ve seen and heard of him, he’s not in bad shape; he's not gone massive, he’s not gone up to 25st.
“I think he wins, I just hope he’s got the fitness and the engine to do the 12 rounds, because Makhmudov is quite fit and strong for 12 rounds.
“But [Makhmudov] has shown vulnerabilities around the body, and he’s not of that level.
“But we don’t know what we’re gonna get with Tyson Fury. I feel like anything can happen...”
Deontay Wilder’s ex-coach on Makhmudov’s chances against Fury
17:57 , Alex Pattle“I don’t think [Makhmudov] punches as hard as he looks,” Malik Scott told Action Network.
“I think if he did, him and Dave Allen don’t go the distance. I think if he did, he really wouldn’t have just lost the fights that he’s lost – because everybody that beat him, he did hit them, but they were able to take it and give it back.
“It just seemed when the going gets tough and the toughs get going, if you really know what you’re doing, you can break him.
“He doesn’t have Fury’s IQ, he doesn’t have Fury’s punch selection, he’s not Tyson Fury, but he’s big enough where he could hurt him.
“We have to see where Fury is at after this few months that he’s had off as well. We gotta see how his legs are. We gotta see how he reacts when he gets hit by this guy.”
Fury keen on trilogy bout with Usyk but ‘AJ’ clash must happen
17:51 , Alex PattleFury reiterated this week that he thinks he won both of his fights with Usyk.
The Independent was ringside for the first bout and saw Usyk as a narrow winner, while we felt the Ukrainian was a more-comfortable victor the second time. In other words, we think the scorecards were right both times...
We have no real desire for a trilogy fight, and it doesn’t seem like fans do either. Instead, Fury vs Joshua remains the fight to make.
Yet Joshua, per his promoter Eddie Hearn, is likely to return this summer – almost certainly in a warm-up fight for the prospective Fury showdown.
So, there’s still a lot that could go wrong and derail Fury vs Joshua once again...
The good news is: we know “AJ” is keen on the all-British super-fight, and Fury said this week that he wants it to happen this year.
Prograis hints at back-up fighter and injury ‘conspiracy’
17:22 , Alex PattleSticking on Prograis... He has denied that he is injured going into his fight with Benn, in response to rumours circulating over the last fortnight.
“I feel like it’s some type of plot going on, like they want to put somebody else in my place,” Prograis told Boxing News this week.
“Because like, as soon as I got here, they were already saying: ‘Yeah, we’ve got somebody. Let me know, we can have somebody.’
“I mean, I’m here. I’m proving that I’m willing to fight. I came, so why are people trying to put somebody else in my place already?”
More from Prograis:
Conor Benn opponent Regis Prograis hints at back-up fighter and injury ‘conspiracy’
Interview: Prograis on Benn’s split from Hearn and more
17:11 , Alex PattleTonight’s co-main event is Conor Benn’s first fight since his shock split from promoter Eddie Hearn.
Benn’s alleged $15m payday has not been publicly confirmed, but with Netflix streaming this event and with Saudi backing behind it, has Prograis noticed a significant improvement in his own pay?
“No, not really,” he tells The Independent. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good payday, but I’m not getting $15m, I’ll tell people that.
“I just love boxing, I know I can beat Conor Benn, it’s gonna be on a big stage; for me, it’s a no-brainer to make the fight happen.”
Prograis on Benn’s split from Hearn and much more:
Regis Prograis opens up on Conor Benn and a history lesson that hints at upset win
Weigh-in reveals slight difference between Fury and Makhmudov
16:44 , Alex PattleFury was just 3lb (1kg) heavier than Makhmudov on Friday, as the pair tipped the scales ahead of tonight’s main event.
Fury came in at 267.9lb (121kg), after Makhmudov weighed 264.9lb (120kg).
With that, 37-year-old Fury was notably lighter than in his most-recent fight, a decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk 16 months ago.
On that occasion, Fury was a career-heaviest 281lb (127kg). That result marked the second loss of Fury’s career, seven months after Usyk outpointed him for the first time.
Meanwhile, Makhmudov was 261.1lb (118kg) for his most-recent bout, a decision win over Britain’s Dave Allen in October.
Fury vs Makhmudov weigh-in confirms slight difference between opponents
Fury vs Joshua in Dublin? Croke Park chief provides update
16:27 , Alex PattleCroke Park’s chief executive has expressed a desire to bring Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury to Dublin, after rumours circulated that the super-fight could take place in the Irish capital.
Last week, boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland said he’d heard that Joshua vs Fury might take in Dublin this autumn, though one source played down the idea to The Independent.
Now, Croke Park’s Peter McKenna has provided an update on the mooted, all-British fight, which could go ahead if Fury beats Arslanbek Makhmudov tonight.
Full story:
Joshua vs Fury in Dublin? Croke Park chief provides update on super-fight rumours
On that note...
16:12 , Alex PattleIf you’re Tyson Fury, you probably still haven’t escaped the squirm-inducing phase of the father-son relationship, and it’s all due to “Big John”.
Tyson himself is 37 now, but it was only two years ago that his father headbutted a teammate of Oleksandr Usyk, drawing blood – his own, not that of Stanislav Stepchuk.
You could argue that John, 58 at the time, should have known better. You could argue that he should have picked on someone his own size, but then again, he has always said: “I’ll fight any man born from his mother.”
It’s a proud claim/quasi-threat that has led to very few (read “zero”) actual fights in recent years, but John was once a “fighting man”, as he so often reminds us. “Gypsy John”, as he went by, was a bare-knuckle fighter before he compiled an 8-4 record in professional boxing across the Eighties and Nineties.
In 2011, he was also found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, having gouged a man’s eye out in 2010. John received an 11-year sentence but emerged from prison in 2015 after serving two years.
Here’s the John Fury story:
The rambling world of John Fury: 15 bananas a day, and rift with Tyson
Will Fury’s father, John, be present tonight? Tyson isn’t sure
15:56 , Alex PattleThe potential absence of Fury’s father adds a layer of personal drama to tonight’s event.
John Fury previously made headlines at the fight’s launch press conference on 16 February, where he launched an expletive-laden tirade at pundit Carl Froch.
But more recently and pertinently, he told the Daily Mail that his relationship with his son was “destroyed completely”.
Addressing his father’s stance, Fury explained this week: “He’s not happy. He wanted me to retire in 2020 after I beat Deontay Wilder. He is just not happy and doesn’t want me to box.
“I think when it’s your kids and when it’s your close relatives, you feel very concerned for the individual, and he has got his opinions. He just doesn’t want me to do it, he never wanted me to do it for the past six years.”
More here:
Fury unsure if dad will attend comeback fight after ‘destroyed’ relationship claim
Makhmudov spends press conference on phone as event falls flat
15:42 , Alex PattleMakhmudov appeared disinterested in what Fury had to say on Thursday, as the Russian spent much of their press conference on his phone.
Admittedly there is somewhat of a language barrier between the Russian and the Briton, but Makhmudov’s attitude might just have reflected that of viewers as the event failed to spark into life.
It remains to be seen how many tickets have been and will be sold for tonight’s bout, which streams live on Netflix and is sure to deliver solid viewing figures regardless of the attendance.
Still, it has been hard to judge the hype around the fight, with many fans raising eyebrows at another Fury comeback.
And Thursday’s press conference in Canary Wharf fell flat overall, with Makhmudov spending much of the press conference on his phone, typing.
Report:
Arslanbek Makhmudov spends Tyson Fury press conference on phone as event falls flat
Interview: How a Fury poster kickstarted Makhmudov’s ‘mission’
15:27 , Alex PattleMakhmudov actually had a poster of Fury on his wall.
The photo? Of the two of them together, “10 years ago, it was in Canada, he came to support [Billy Joe] Saunders against David Lemieux,” Makhmudov recalls.
He admits that, back then, he could not have dreamed of being paired with Fury one day. “Only God knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, in 1,000 years, everything.”
But, he says: “God gave gave me the signal, I imagine it like a signal.”
Full interview:
How a Tyson Fury poster kickstarted Arslanbek Makhmudov’s ‘mission’
Steve Bunce: Fury’s comeback is a test of much more than his boxing skills
15:11 , Alex PattleA few thoughts from our columnist Steve Bunce:
“Tonight under the stars in north London, Fury returns to the ring after a long absence and has to prove he is still the No 1 attraction.
“For his return, Fury has picked Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having only fought in the UK twice in the last eight years (all his major fights during that time have been in Las Vegas, Riyadh and Los Angeles).
“Tonight’s fight is a genuine test of his pulling power and appeal. Even with Netflix’s involvement and the lack of a pay-per-view approach, with 67,000 seats available, it will be hard to disguise a failure.”
Full preview:
Tyson Fury’s comeback is a genuine test of much more than his boxing ability
Fury vs Makhmudov and Benn vs Prograis odds tonight
14:38 , Alex PattleThe odds for this evening’s main event, per William Hill on Friday, stand as such:
Fury – 2/9; Makhmudov – 7/2; draw – 20/1
Meanwhile, the co-main odds from William Hill yesterday looked like this:
Benn – 1/12; Prograis – 13/2; draw – 25/1
How to watch Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov this evening
14:22 , Alex PattleThe event will stream live exclusively on Netflix worldwide. It will be available to all existing subscribers; in other words, the event will not be a pay-per-view.
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov start time tonight
14:10 , Alex PattleFury vs Makhmudov will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London tonight.
The main card is due to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET), with main-event ring walks from 10pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET).
There will be a bit of preliminary action before the main card gets under way.
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov LIVE: Welcome!
14:00 , Alex PattleTonight, Tyson Fury will make his fifth return to boxing as he faces Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The main-event contest will be Fury’s first fight in 16 months, with the Briton having retired (yet again) in the wake of his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, a points defeat in December 2024.
Fury, 37, believes he can become a world heavyweight champion again, and a win over Russia’s Makhmudov will also move the Briton closer to a clash with Anthony Joshua – a domestic fight that is seemingly still on the cards after almost a decade of links between the boxers.
But Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) must beware ring rust as he takes on Makhmudov, 36, who brings a 21-2 record – including 19 KOs – into London for the biggest fight of his life. And will Fury have his father present to support? Maybe not, after John’s claim that their relationship is “destroyed”.
Follow live updates and results from Fury vs Makhmudov and the undercard, including Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis, right here.
