Fury Eyes Joshua Showdown After High-Stakes Comeback Against Makhmudov

Fury Sets Sights on Joshua Following Long-Awaited Ring Return

Typeson Fury has made his intentions crystal clear — he wants Anthony Joshua next. Speaking ahead of his heavyweight comeback bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Saturday, the 37-year-old 'Gypsy King' confirmed that a dream all-British clash with Joshua is the fight he is chasing most.

"If it happens, great, if it doesn't happen, also great," Fury told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I've got Arslanbek Makhmudov to think of on Saturday night, but all going well, [Joshua is] the fight I want next."

A Long-Awaited British Super-Fight Back on the Table

For years, the prospect of Fury versus Joshua has tantalized boxing fans across the globe. The matchup has slipped through the sport's fingers time and again, but there is genuine optimism that 2026 could finally be the year it materializes.

Joshua, 36, was last seen in action in December, when he stopped YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round of a professional contest. A fight with Fury was reportedly being negotiated in the aftermath of that win, but negotiations were derailed after Joshua was involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends.

With Joshua expected to be present ringside in north London on Saturday, promoter Eddie Hearn has signaled that the Watford-born fighter is gradually working his way back toward training. Fury, meanwhile, is unfazed by his rival's recent unconventional opposition.

"I know he just had his fight with Jake Paul, whatever... a fight's a fight really," Fury said. "So yeah, I'll be ready for that straight away after this."

Two Legends, One Unfinished Chapter

Both Fury and Joshua are two-time world heavyweight champions who have defined British boxing on the world stage for the better part of a decade. Yet despite the enormous commercial appeal a meeting between them would still generate, many boxing purists feel the window for a truly meaningful encounter has already passed.

Nevertheless, the fighters themselves appear motivated, and the fight's entertainment value would be undeniable.

Makhmudov: A Dangerous Opponent Not to Be Underestimated

Before any Joshua talk becomes reality, Fury must navigate a genuinely threatening opponent in Makhmudov. The Russian heavyweight carries serious knockout power, having finished 19 of his opponents within the first three rounds. He is widely regarded as one of the most avoided heavyweights in the division.

Fury, however, insists this is exactly the kind of challenge he needs.

"I need a dangerous person to get my juices flowing," he said. "I've got a stone-cold killer in this man who could put me out in one shot. That means I have to be on my form to deal with this guy."

This marks Fury's first outing on British soil since he stopped Derek Chisora in December 2022, and his first bout of any kind since suffering back-to-back defeats to unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk. A recent training camp in Thailand appeared to reignite his hunger for competition, with Fury admitting he had genuinely missed being inside the ropes.

Fury Delivers Scathing Verdict on Wilder and Chisora

Fury's comeback arrives just one week after two of his most notable past opponents — Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora — squared off in London, with Wilder claiming victory on a split decision. Fury, who has beaten both men previously, watched the bout with a sharply critical eye.

He described the performances as a stunning display of decline, suggesting neither man resembled the fighters he once faced.

"I've never seen two men slide as much as these two," Fury said bluntly. "They look like a couple of club fighters from a white-collar match in a local leisure centre. It was sad for me to watch."

The comments serve as a pointed reminder that Fury still considers himself operating at an entirely different level — and Saturday night against Makhmudov will be his first opportunity in over a year to prove it.