Fury Dominates Makhmudov, Challenges Joshua Next

Tyson Fury returned to the ring with a unanimous points win over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, 2026 , then used the moment to publicly challenge Anthony Joshua to a future bout. Joshua watched from ringside, and the exchange immediately put a long-discussed British heavyweight matchup back into the spotlight.

Fury, 37 , controlled the contest across 12 rounds , relying on technique and ring management to limit Makhmudov’s opportunities. The judges scored it 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109 , reflecting a wide margin in Fury’s favor. Makhmudov, 36 , had moments of success with occasional overhand rights, but he was largely outboxed over the distance.

The win also marked a notable career waypoint: it was Fury’s first fight after a 15-month retirement . With the result, his professional record moved to 35 wins, two losses, and one draw . The source material notes those two defeats came against Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 , making this victory a clear rebound in the aftermath of that period.

Immediately after the decision, Fury directed his attention to Joshua, framing the next step as a rivalry bout. The potential Fury–Joshua fight has been widely anticipated within British boxing, and the public nature of the callout added momentum by placing both men on the same event stage. The moment also underscored the commercial pull of heavyweight boxing, where major domestic matchups can draw broad attention beyond the sport’s core audience.

Joshua, 36 , signaled openness to the matchup and described a process that would move toward formal negotiations. He said: "The contract will be sent over, we will go through the nitty gritty, and you will probably see us in the ring next, more than likely." While the exchange indicated willingness, no date, venue, or finalized agreement was provided in the source material.

Both fighters are in their late thirties, and the source material notes they are past their physical peak even as interest remains substantial. For global markets tied to live sports—such as event promotion, broadcasting, sponsorship, and venue operations—the prospect of a high-profile heavyweight event can concentrate attention on scheduling and rights discussions. The key uncertainty is whether negotiations translate into a signed contract and confirmed bout details.