Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has officially declared his intention to return to professional boxing in 2026, just twelve months after announcing his retirement from the sport for a fifth time.
The Gypsy King's Latest Comeback
The 37-year-old fighter, known as 'The Gypsy King', hung up his gloves in January 2025. This decision followed two consecutive points defeats to the unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk, in 2024. Fury has a history of retiring and un-retiring, and he began hinting at a return over the recent festive period with social media videos showing him in training.
Fury made the announcement on his Instagram, stating: "2026 is that year. Return of the mac. Been away for a while but I'm back now, 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face & get paid for it."
A Quest for a Third Title Reign
Fury boasts a professional record of 34 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. He is a two-time heavyweight champion, having dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and Deontay Wilder in 2020. His ambition is clear: to return to the ring and become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
His path was blocked in 2024 by the exceptional Oleksandr Usyk. Fury challenged the unbeaten Ukrainian in a bid to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis but lost a thrilling contest in Saudi Arabia. A rematch seven months later in Riyadh resulted in a more decisive unanimous decision victory for Usyk.
Despite these two losses, a potential third bout with Usyk would still generate massive global interest. However, Usyk has not fought since July 2025 and has expressed a desire to face Deontay Wilder next.
The Shadow Over a British Super-Fight
A major domestic clash that had been targeted for 2026 was a long-awaited showdown between Fury and Anthony Joshua. That fight has now been plunged into profound uncertainty following a horrific car crash in Nigeria involving Joshua, which tragically killed two of his closest friends and team members, Sina Ghani and Latif Ayodele.
Joshua has since returned to the UK after a hospital stay and issued his first social media update. Fury himself sent his condolences, posting: "This is so sad. May god give them a good bed in heaven."
Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, speaking to ITV News last week, questioned whether Joshua would have the desire to continue his career. "This is an awful time for everyone involved and hopefully AJ has come out of it physically well but mentally is another issue," Warren said. "I don't even know if he will ever have the appetite to fight again."
With the landscape of the heavyweight division shifting, Tyson Fury's confirmed return sets the stage for a dramatic year in boxing, though it will unfold against a backdrop of tragedy for his British rival.
