Tyson Fury completed the first stage of his latest comeback on Saturday night with a clear unanimous points win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, outclassing the Russian in a fight that never looked competitive for long.
The former world heavyweight champion, now 37, has retired on five previous occasions, only to return each time. On this occasion, he showed that even after his time away from the ring he could still do enough against a dangerous opponent, using his speed, fluid movement and accuracy to control the contest over 12 rounds.
Makhmudov arrived with a reputation as a heavy puncher. The fighter from Dagestan had stopped 17 of his previous 21 opponents inside three rounds, underlining the threat he posed if he could land cleanly. But Fury’s class was apparent almost immediately. By the second round, the gap between the two men was already clear, and Fury’s control only grew as the bout went on.
The result was reflected on the scorecards. Two judges scored every round for Fury, giving him a 120-108 victory, while the third had it 119-109. It amounted to a near shutout and a one-sided evening for a heavyweight contest that lacked drama, even if it served its purpose for Fury’s comeback trail.
After the fight, attention quickly turned to what might come next. Anthony Joshua was at ringside, but he declined to accept Fury’s challenge. That left Fury still waiting for the next major name on his return path, even as he signalled that Joshua remains the opponent he wants most.
For Fury, the win was significant less for the spectacle than for what it represented: a successful return after another retirement, and evidence that he can still impose himself against a high-level opponent. Makhmudov had the power to make the night difficult, but Fury’s movement and timing meant the Russian rarely found a way into the fight.
The former champion’s comeback now moves into its next phase, with the prospect of a major domestic showdown still hanging over it. Joshua’s presence at ringside added to the sense that the heavyweight picture could shift quickly, but for the moment Fury leaves with a convincing win and the same familiar target in mind.
